Archie Roach
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Archie Roach (born 1956, Mooroopna, Victoria) is an Australian musician. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he 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.
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[edit] Biography
In his own words, "I was born in Mooroopna, way there by the river bend... ". Mooroopna is an Aboriginal word referring to a bend in the Goulburn river, near Warramboolin in southwest Victoria.
In 1956, Archie Roach's family, along with the rest of the areas indigenous population, were re-housed on a mission, built at nearby Framlingham. The Goulburn area was to be part of the itinerary of a visit from the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II of England, who it was thought should be shielded from the harsh reality of poverty stricken aboriginal life.
When still a very young child, Roach and his sisters, along with many other young people of the 'stolen generation' were forcibly removed from their family by Australian government agencies, and placed in an orphanage. They were eventually fostered by the Coxes, a family of Scottish immigrants in Melbourne. The Coxes' eldest daughter, Mary, played keyboards and guitar in a local pentecostal church, and taught Roach the basics of both instruments. He was further inspired by his foster-father's record collection - Billie Holiday, the Ink Spots, the Drifters, Nat King Cole and old Scottish ballads.
As a young man, Archie received a letter from an older sister, describing to him the events of their young childhood. Angry and hurt, Roach left his foster home carrying only a guitar. Pennyless, he travelled to Sydney and Adelaide, and spent time living on the streets, attempting to make sense of his upbringing and locate his natural family. He went through periods of alcoholism and despair, but also began to produce music. During this time he met his lifelong partner, and musical soulmate, Ruby Hunter. They started a family.
In the late 1980s Hunter and Roach formed a band, the Altogethers, with several other indigenous Australians, and moved to Melbourne. Here, he was overheard by a bandmate of songwriter Paul Kelly, who persuaded Kelly to give Roach an opening slot for some of his concerts.
In 1990, with the encouragement of Kelly, Archie recorded his debut solo album - Charcoal Lane. This album included the song Took the Children Away, a moving indictment of the treatment of indigenous children of Archie's generation, and a song which stuck 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 magazines Top 100 Albums for 1992.
Roach has recorded three further albums, and toured around the globe, headlining and opening shows for Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega, and Patti Smith. He has worked on soundtracks for several films, including Rolf de Heer's '"The Tracker."'
Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter currently live on a homestead close to Berri, South Australia with their children. Their home has become something of a refuge for troubled Aboriginal youngsters, now dealing with some of the problems faced by the couple themselves.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Charcoal Lane (1992) [Hightone]
- Native Born
- Charcoal Lane
- Muntana
- I've Lied
- Down City Streets
- Took The Children Away
- Sister Brother
- Beautiful Child
- No No No
- Summer Of My Life
- Jamu Dreaming (1993) [Hightone]
- Weeping In The Forest
- From Paradise
- Mr T
- Love In The Morning
- Tell Me Why
- Walking Into Doors
- Wild Blue Gums
- So Young
- Angela
- Jamu Dreaming
- There Is a Garden
- Looking For Butterboy (1997) [Hightone]
- Beggar Man
- A Child Was Born Here
- My Grandmother
- Dancing (With My Spirit)
- F Troop
- Mother's Heartbeat
- Djabugai Lady
- Hold On Tight
- River Song
- Reach For You
- Give Unto Caesar
- Lois St John
- Watching Over Me
- Sensual Being (2002) [Festival Mushroom Records]
- Alien Invasion
- Life Is Worth Living
- Just a Little Time
- Will I See You Tonight
- Mission Ration Blues
- Outside Your Window
- Many Waters Rise
- Cold Wind Blows
- Free To Be a Man
- Morning Star
- Move It On
- Small Child
