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Archie Roach Archie Roach i(A28638 works by) (a.k.a. Archibald William Roach)
Born: Established: 1956 Mooroopna, Shepparton, Shepparton area, Goulburn - Campaspe area, Northern Victoria, Victoria, ;
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Yorta Yorta / Yota Yota
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BiographyHistory

Archie Roach is a singer, songwriter, storyteller, and a gifted artist. Born at Framlingham Aboriginal Mission, Roach was taken from his family at an early age as part of the stolen generations. He spent some time in institutions before being fostered by a Scottish family. After learning of his Aboriginal family from a letter received from his sister, he left home. Suffering from alcoholism, Roach spent many years on the streets of Adelaide and Melbourne in search of his family and his identity. Roach met his partner Ruby Hunter, a Ngarrindjeri woman from South Australia. Hunter, a singer and songwriter, had also been removed from her family.

In the late 1980s, Roach formed a band called Altogether that played at community festivals and functions around Melbourne and in 1988 played as the opening act for Paul Kelly and the Messengers. In 1990 Roach recorded Charcoal Lane that was produced by Paul Kelly and Steve Connolly. This album became famous for two songs: Took the Children Away ,which was about the forced separation of Aboriginal children from their parents during the implementation of the assimilation policy, and Down City Streets that was co-written by Ruby Hunter.

Roach has won Aria Awards, Best Indigenous Album and Best New Talent and later a Human Rights television award for The Land of Little Kings, a feature-length documentary about the Stolen Generations. This was a collaboration between independent filmmakers Paul Roberts and Des Kootji Raymond and narrated by Archie Roach. In July 1997 Roach recorded Looking for Butter Boy produced by Malcom Burn who acclaims Roach as one of the great singers. This album won three Aria Awards in 1998.

Together Roach and Hunter have toured with many bands and artists over the years, including: Paul Kelly, Weddings Parties Anything, Crowded House, and international artists such as Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Bega and Patti Smith. In 1992, Roach toured America supporting Joan Armatrading and Bob Dylan and in 1993 returned as guests to Austin's South X South-West music convention. Roach toured the UK and Germany in 1994 and the following year along with Hunter, Tiddas and Kev Carmody toured Canada's Music West convention in Vancouver and into Europe. He again toured Europe in 1997 and also China, Japan and Taiwan before returning to Australia for a six week tour in remote communities in Cape York.

HarperCollins published an anthology of Roach's lyrics in 1994 called You Have the Power. In 2010, Roach's album Archie Roach - 1988 won the Deadly Award for Album of the Year and in 2013, Roach was inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame.

Over the years, Roach has been a guest artist at many Indigenous Festivals across Australia and continues to work and be a representative for his community. He is active in many Aboriginal causes and continues to provide vocals for soundtracks for artists, albums, bands, and films.

Albums:

  • 1989 - Koori (with Ruby Hunter)
  • 1990 - Charcoal Lane
  • 1993 - Jamu Dreaming
  • 1997 - Looking for Butterboy
  • 2002 - Sensual Being
  • 2002 - The Tracker
  • 2004 - The Definitive Collection
  • 2005 - Ruby (with Ruby Hunter)
  • 2007 - Journey
  • 2009 - 1988
  • 2012 - Into The Bloodstream

Singles:

  • 1990 - 'Took the Children Away'
  • 1991 - 'Down City Streets'
  • 1993 - 'From Paradise'
  • 1993 - 'Walking into Doors'
  • 1997 - 'Hold on Tight'
  • 1997 - 'A Child Was Born Here'

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Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • See also the entry for Archie Roach on the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/indigenous/leadership/victorian-indigenous-honour-roll/victorian-indigenous-honour-roll-biographies/archie-roach

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Tell Me Why : The Story of My Life and My Music Cammeray : Simon and Schuster Australia , 2021 20775966 2021 single work autobiography young adult

'‘There are many Australian stories, and mine is just one about what happened to me and other First Peoples of this country. It’s important for me to tell my story – because it’s not just part of my healing but of this country’s as well. We all have a story and as you read this book I would like you to think of your own story, what that means and who is also a part of your story.’     
 
'In his inspirational, highly acclaimed memoir – and including reflections from First Nations Elders and young people – Archie Roach tells the story of his life and his music. Only two when he was forcibly removed from his family, and brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, Archie’s world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of. It took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was. 
 
'Tell Me Why is an unforgettable story of resilience, strength of spirit and hope.'

Source : publisher's blurb

2021 winner New South Wales Premier's History Prize Young People's History Prize
2021 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Audiobook of the year
y separately published work icon Tell Me Why : The Story of My Life and My Music Cammeray : Simon and Schuster Australia , 2019 16745125 2019 single work autobiography

'One of the most powerful and highly anticipated Australian stories to be told.

'No one has lived as many lives as Archie Roach – stolen child, seeker, teenage alcoholic, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius, and leader – but it took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was.

'Roach was only a few years old when he was forcibly removed from his family. Brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, his world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of.

'In this intimate, moving and often shocking memoir, Roach’s story is an extraordinary odyssey through love and heartbreak, family and community, survival and renewal – and the healing power of music. Overcoming enormous odds to find his story and his people, Roach voices the joy, pain and hope he found on his path through song to become the legendary singer-songwriter and storyteller that he is today – beloved by fans worldwide.

'Tell Me Why is a stunning account of resilience and the strength of spirit – and of a great love story.' (Publication summary)

2021 shortlisted National Biography Award
2021 winner Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Audiobook of the year
2021 winner Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Prize for Indigenous Writing
2020 shortlisted Booksellers Choice Award Adult Nonfiction Book of the Year
2020 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Australian Biography of the Year
2020 winner Indie Awards Nonfiction
2020 shortlisted Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Non-Fiction
y separately published work icon Took the Children Away Camberwell East : One Day Hill , 2010 Z1740015 2010 single work picture book lyric/song children's

'"Took the Children Away", is a moving indictment of the treatment of indigenous children from the 'Stolen Generation' and a song which 'struck a chord' not only among the wider Aboriginal community, but also nationally. The song was awarded two ARIA Awards, as well as an international Human Rights Achievement Award, the first time this had been awarded to a songwriter because of a song. The album it came from featured in Rolling Stone magazine's Top 100 Albums for 1992.

'From the lyrics of this iconic song a very special book for children of all ages has been created. Featuring he heart wrenching lyrics of Archie Roach and the classic artwork of his late wife and soul-mate Ruby Hunter, this book is destined to become a masterpiece.

'Renowned Queensland artist, Peter Hudson has adorned the book with his stunning landscapes of South West Victoria - Archie's traditional lands.' (From the publisher's website.)

2021 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Australian Book of the Year for Younger Children
Last amended 16 Nov 2021 13:30:16
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