Fresh Finds: Class Of 2025 – Aussie Acts To Add To Your Playlist

Archie Roach

View Archie Roach's X View Archie Roach's Website View Archie Roach's Apple Music View Archie Roach's Spotify
Archie Roach

Archibald William Roach (8 January 1956 – 30 July 2022) was an Australian singer-songwriter and Aboriginal activist. Often referred to as "Uncle Archie", Roach was a Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung) and Bundjalung elder who campaigned for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. His wife and musical partner was the singer Ruby Hunter (1955–2010).

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. At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards on 25 November 2020, Roach was inducted into their hall of fame. His 2019 memoir and accompanying album were called Tell Me Why.

Albums

1990 Charcoal Lane
1992 Jamu Dreaming
1997 Looking for Butterboy
2002 Sensual Being
2007 Journey
2012 Into the Bloodstream
2019 Tell Me Why
2020 The Songs of Charcoal Lane
MusicBrainz content provided under the terms of the Data License
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Latest Articles

News / Music
Olivia Newton-John, Judith Durham (pic by Elizabeth Hawkes) & Archie Roach
ARIA Hall Of Fame Induction Suspended As ‘Special Tributes’ Announced
“The ARIA Hall of Fame will return in 2023.”
News / Film & TV
TV Doco On Archie Roach’s Iconic ‘Into The Bloodstream’ Concert Airing Tonight
“Uncle Archie simply left this earth a much better place for having been in it.”
News / Music
Archie Roach To Receive State Memorial Service
"We've lost him now, but we're going to have one last gig for Archie."
News / Music
Tributes Flow As Archie Roach Embarks On Final Journey
"Amos & Eban Roach & family are taking Archie Roach Home."
News / Music
All The Winners From The 2022 National Indigenous Music Awards
“To be at the Amphitheater with community, celebrating together in person will be something I will remember for a very long time."
Features / Music
Archie Roach & Ruby Hunter: Australia's Greatest Love Story
“Together, Archie and Ruby – well, it’s almost impossible to imagine one without the other. They were more than soulmates in life and music, they were part of – the heart of – an organism much larger than just the two of them.”
Features / Music
Eleven Archie Roach Musical Moments We Will Never Forget
Eleven moments that defined one of Australian music's most important careers.
News / Music
Australia Mourns The Passing of Archie Roach
"His music is remarkable because it tells a remarkable story. His own story."
News / Music
Legendary Songwriter Archie Roach Has Passed Away
"Archie passed, surrounded by his family and loved ones, at Warrnambool Base Hospital after a long illness."
News / Music
Reclink Community Cup Honours Archie Roach, Unveils Event Line-up
"What better way to express LOVE than to come together, playing a game of footy and listening to some great Australian music?”
News / Music
‘Someone Important Arrived’: That First Night Archie Roach Opened For Paul Kelly
Archie Roach, Paul Kelly and Linda Bull have recently recalled the iconic musical milestone when Roach first opened for Kelly at the Melbourne Concert Hall in 1990.
News / Music
Archie Roach To Launch Online Interview Series 'Uncle Archie’s Kitchen Table Yarns'
“It’s important their voices are heard so they don’t have to go through what I went through."
View More