Australian musician and Aboriginal activist Archie Roach has passed away.
Born on January 8, 1956, in Mooroopna, Australia, Roach was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and also a Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder and campaigner for the rights of Indigenous Australians.
Roach first became known after his song “Took the Children Away”, which was featured on his debut solo album, Charcoal Lane, in 1990 became a global hit.
He toured around the globe, headlining and opening shows for Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, Suzanne Vega, and Patti Smith.
From a Deadly Award for a “Lifetime Contribution to Healing the Stolen Generations” in 2013, his work has been recognised by numerous nominations and awards.
At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards on November 25, 2020, Roach was inducted into their hall of fame.
Roach died on July 30, 2022, at the age of 66.
Archie Roach Parents: Nellie Austin, Dulcie Cox, Alec Cox
Archie parents are Nellie Austin, Dulcie Cox, and Alec Cox. In 1956, Roach’s family, along with the rest of the area’s Aboriginal population, were rehoused on Rumbalara mission.
The family subsequently moved to Framlingham, where his mother had been born.
At the age of two, Roach and his sisters, along with the other Indigenous Australian children of the Stolen Generations, were forcibly removed from their family by government agencies and placed in an orphanage.
After two unpleasant placements in foster care, Roach was eventually fostered by Alex and Dulcie Cox, a family of Scottish immigrants in Melbourne.
Source: Kingaziz.com