Biography
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Born
8 January 1956
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Born In
Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia
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Died
30 July 2022 (aged 66)
Archie Roach AM (born Archibald William Roach in Mooroopna, Victoria, on 8 January 1956; died 30 July 2022) was an Aboriginal Australian musician. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, a Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder, and a campaigner for the rights of Indigenous Australians. In 2015, Roach was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to music as a singer-songwriter, guitarist and a prominent supporter of social justice. At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards, Roach was inducted into their hall of fame. His wife and musical partner was the singer Ruby Hunter (1955–2010).
Roach survived a turbulent upbringing to develop into a powerful voice for Indigenous Australia, a storyteller in the tradition of his ancestors, and a nationally popular and respected artist.
Roach first became known for the song "Took the Children Away", which featured on his debut solo album, Charcoal Lane, in 1990. He toured around the globe, headlining and opening shows for Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega and Patti Smith. His work has been recognised by numerous nominations and awards, including a Deadly Award for a "Lifetime Contribution to Healing the Stolen Generations" in 2013.
In 2015, Roach was honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to music as a singer-songwriter, guitarist and a prominent supporter of social justice.
At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards on 25 November 2020, Roach was inducted into their hall of fame.
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