Yothu Yindi's Lead Singer Mr. Yunupingu Has Died

Mr Yunupingu, legendary frontman for indigenous band Yothu Yindi and an important voice for reconciliation, has died overnight at the age of 56.

After battling kidney disease for a number of years he died at his home in East Arnhem Land.

Mr Yunupingu's family have requested no photos of the singer be used or his first name mentioned in tributes.

The band's track Treaty is one of the most recognisable songs in Australian music history.

In November last year Yothu Yindi was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame and Yunupingu – 1992's Australian Of The Year – offered a moving speech, calling for the recognition of indigenous Australians in the constitution. The band performed Treaty with Paul Kelly and Peter Garrett.

Last year Yunupingu released a new track Healing Stone, co-written with collaborator Andrew Farriss, which became the title track of a best-of collection.

“It's about the disease I have right now,” Yunupingu told theMusic, “and the condition I'm in, to help me tell more people about how Aboriginal people are prone to diseases of the kidney.

“So many people are in this condition, affected by the disease and would look at the possibility of a cure to it. The song talks about a cure and the fact that my mother was seen to have healing hands; that women were said to be healers in our world before the doctors and the nurses came.”

Close friend Paul Kelly, who is currently in Nashville said, “Goodbye, [Mr Yunupingu], master of balance. We sang for you tonight in Nashville. You showed me your country, brought me into your family, called me brother. You called the whole country brother.”

In his ARIA Award speech last year he said, "I first saw Yothu Yindi in Chicago, over 20 years ago opening up for Midnight Oil. I'd never seen anything quite like them before nor had the audience. A couple of years later I had the privilege of working with them in Arnhem land on their second album. Since then we've crossed paths many times.

"They are not so much a band as a physical philosophy. All great art contains contradictions. And their art has always rested on holding opposites together. The modern and the tribal, the parent and the child, balanda and yongul, freshwater and saltwater, seriousness and celebration. When I first came to know [Mr Yunupingu] I was struck by how many times he used the word balance. For all artists and especially for indigenous artists balance is the heart of the dance. Long may Yothu Yindi dance!"

John Butler said, “What a massive legacy [Mr Yunupingu] has left behind. And what a trail he blazed. I heard Treaty on the radio last week. Almost 20 years on and that song still gives me chills. What a powerful gesture; musically, culturally, politically. Love to all the friends and family mourning this great Australian culture and music ambassador.”

The Mushroom Group's CEO Michael Gudinski said, “I was saddened to hear of Mr Yunupingu's passing this morning. He was a great friend, not only an inspiration to me but also to indigenous youth and many Australians. He was educator to both children and the Australian community, a great songwriter and performer. He was also an important ambassador to Australia on his world wide travels as the lead singer of Yothu Yindi. I was thrilled that Yothu Yindi were inducted into the Hall Of Fame last year and that Mr Yunupingu was able to attend and perform at the event. I was very proud to hear him speak at the event, still strong in his conviction and a truly respected spokesperson for the Indigenous people of Australia.

“I was also extremely honoured to be with Mr Yunupingu and his long time friend, mentor and manager Alan James, when we went to Kirribilli house to meet with the then Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating. It was this same day that Mr Keating actually asked Mr Yunupingu if he would accept the honour of being Australian Of the Year. This was one of the most special, important and gratifying moments of my life.

“On behalf of everyone at Mushroom who have had the privilege to meet and work with Mr Yunupingu, our sincere condolences to Mr Yunupingu's wife Yalmay, their children and the Yunupingu family, the Yolngu people, his band mates in Yothu Yindi and manager Alan James.”

Alan James himself issued a statement reading, “Yothu Yindi is mourning the death of its beloved lead singer. He was an inspirational educator and leader: a huge force for good, happiness and change for his people and for Australia.

“We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together. His contribution as an educator, in the formation of the band, the Yothu Yindi Foundation, and its Garma Festival is unprecedented.

“He was such creative and unifying force, we hope his legacy goes on for ever. We will all miss him so much.”

Prime Minister Julia Gillard offered, “We have today lost a great Australian voice in the efforts towards reconciliation. We have lost a uniquely talented musician, a passionate advocate for Aboriginal people and a truly great friend.

“He will also be remembered as a great educational leader and a champion for the Yolngu people in East Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory. He leaves a great body of work to inspire us and we will need all of that inspiration, for so much work remains undone.”

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said at a press conference, “He was obviously a significant cultural leader figure to the wider Australian community as well as amongst Aboriginal people. It's tragic that he's gone and I guess it's very sad that he's gone at such an early age.”

Can't believe he's gone, my dear friend. A path breaker and leader. A shining light for his people. Rest in peace Mr Yunupingu.

— Peter Garrett AM MP (@PGarrettMP) June 2, 2013