Athol Guy
| Athol Guy | |
|---|---|
The Seekers in 1965 – Guy at left
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| Background information | |
| Born |
5 January 1940 Colac, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Folk, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Double bass, vocals |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Associated acts | The Seekers |
| Website | atholguyandfriends.com |
Athol George Guy, AO (born 5 January 1940), is a member of the Australian pop music group The Seekers, for whom he plays double bass and sings. He is easily recognisable by his black-framed 'Buddy Holly' glasses, and, during live performances, often acts as the group's compère.
Athol George Guy was born in Colac, Victoria, the son of George Francis Guy (RAN) and Doris Thelma (née Cole) Guy. Guy was educated at Gardenvale Central School, where he was school captain. He entered Melbourne High School, where he was twice under age athletic champion and an officer in the cadet corps. During this time he was Victorian Sub Junior High Jump Champion and then silver medalist to Olympian Colin Ridgeway the next year.
Guy formed his first musical group in 1958, The Ramblers, resulting in his move into performance, marketing and production at GTV9. Progressing via HSV7, media manager with the Clemenger Group and account exec with JWT, he then set sail with The Seekers for 10 weeks' holiday abroad. On his return he established his own consulting company and compèred two national TV shows.
When The Seekers disbanded in 1968, Guy hosted his own variety series – A Guy Called Athol – on Australia's Seven Network, and later the quiz show Big Nine on the Nine Network. In 1971, he was elected as the Liberal member for Gisborne in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. One of its youngest members, he won three terms with an increasing majority before he returned to the commercial world as a corporate consultant. Guy has taken part in subsequent reunions of The Seekers since 1993, when the award-winning group celebrated the silver jubilee of its 1968 break up.
Guy was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in a by-election on 11 December 1971 for Gisborne as a member of the Liberal Party. He served as a member of the assembly until resigning due to ill health on 5 March 1979. His achievements included the government's purchase and development of Werribee Park.
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