Archie Roach, Australian songman and voice of the stolen generations dies aged 66

Archie Roach, the Indigenous Australian songwriter whose celebrated song Took the Children Away brought national attention to the story of the stolen generations, has died aged 66.

Roach died at Warrnambool Base hospital after a long illness.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder, songman and storyteller Archie Roach,” his sons Amos and Eban Roach announced in a statement on behalf of the Roach family.

“We thank all the staff who have cared for Archie over the past month. Archie wanted all of his many fans to know how much he loves you for supporting him along the way. We are so proud of everything our dad achieved in his remarkable life. He was a healer and unifying force. His music brought people together.”

Tributes have begun pouring in for the songman on social media.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Tonight we mourn the passing of Archie Roach. Our country has lost a brilliant talent, a powerful and prolific national truth teller.

“Archie’s music drew from a well of trauma and pain, but it flowed with a beauty and a resonance that moved us all. We grieve for his death, we honour his life and we hold to the hope that his words, his music and his indomitable spirit will live on to guide us and inspire us.”

Took the Children Away featured on Roach’s debut album Charcoal Lane, which turned 30 this year. The song launched, defined and to a degree inevitably overshadowed an immensely rich artistic career, which included nine studio albums, a soundtrack (The Tracker of 2002) and numerous live albums and compilations. In November 2010 Roach’s album Tell Me Why – a companion piece to his autobiography – became his first to reach the national top 10.

Roach was also a political force and leader, who fought tirelessly to draw attention to the history of, and inequity facing, Indigenous Australia. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his services to music and social justice, and was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

More to come.