Archie Roach
Archibald William Roach (8 January 1956 – 30 July 2022) was an aboriginal-Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. Roach was born in Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia.[1] His songs are popular in the Australian Aboriginal community.
Archie Roach | |
|---|---|
 Roach in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Archibald William Roach |
| Born | 8 January 1956 Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 30 July 2022 (aged 66) Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Alternative rock, world, roots |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, six-string guitar |
| Years active | 1980s–2022 |
| Labels | Mushroom, Liberation Music, ABC Music |
| Associated acts | The Altogethers, Ruby Hunter |
Early Life
At the age of three or four, Roach was taken from his family by the Australian government. His two sisters were also taken away. After spending time in an orphanage, he was raised in Melbourne, Australia, by a white family, who had moved to Melbourne from Scotland.[2]
As a teenager, Roach ran away from home to look for his biological parents.[2] After running away, while homeless and abusing alcohol, Roach met his wife, musician Ruby Hunter. During the late 1980s, Roach and Hunter created a band named “Altogether” with other Aboriginal musicians.[2]
Health and death
In mid-2011, Roach was diagnosed with early lung cancer, and had one of his lungs removed. While recovering, he released his hit album “Into the Bloodstream.”[3]
Roach died on July 30, 2022 in Warrnambool, Victoria from a long-illness, aged 66.[4][5]
Awards and achievements
His album Charcoal Lane won an ARIA Award as the Best Indigenous Album of the Year.[2] He was given an ARIA Award as the Best New Talent.[1] The Rolling Stone Magazine listed it in the Top 50 Albums of 1992.[2] Looking for the Butter Boy won three ARIA Awards in 1998.[2]
In 2013, Roach won a Deadly Award for Album of the Year. He has also won two ARIA awards and a national Human Rights Award for his songs “Took the Child Away” and “Charcoal Lane.” Many of his songs talk about his experiences and the difficulties he has faced as an Aboriginal Australian.
In 2015 Roach was made a member of the Order of Australia.[6]
Discography
Archie Roach Media
Roach performing at WOMADelaide in 2011
Roach (right) with Ruby Hunter at the 2009 Tamworth Country Music Festival
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Abc.net.au,. 2008. 'Talking Heads - Archie Roach And Ruby Hunter'. Accessed June 8 2015. http://www.abc.net.au/tv/talkingheads/txt/s22
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 AllMusic,. 2015. 'Archie Roach | Biography | Allmusic'. Accessed June 8 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/archie-roach-mn0000601551/biography
- ↑ Lungfoundation.com.au,. 2014. 'Lung Cancer Survivor Archie Roach Shines A Hopeful Light | Lung Foundation Australia'. Accessed June 8 2015. http://lungfoundation.com.au/lung-cancer-survivor-archie-roach-shines-a-hopeful-light/ Archived 2014-09-29 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Dalton, Angus (30 July 2022). "Singer-songwriter Archie Roach dead aged 66" (in en). The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/singer-songwriter-archie-roach-dead-aged-66-20220730-p5b5xq.html. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ↑ "Archie Roach, Aboriginal musician, songwriter and artist, dead at 66 after 'a remarkable life'". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ↑ ABC News,. 2015. 'Singer Song-Writer Archie Roach Honoured On Queen's Birthday'. Accessed June 8 2015. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-08/singer-song-writer-archie-roach-honoured-on-queens-birthday/6526182.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Archieroach.com.au,. 2015. 'Archie Roach - Official Website'. Accessed June 8 2015. http://www.archieroach.com.au