| Archie Roach |
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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 Ballad s. 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, and in later years of the marriage, they became an open house for teenage Aborigines who were living on the streets 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. DISCOGRAPHY Albums
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 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 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 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 EXTERNAL LINKS |
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