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Archie Roach Archie Roach i(A28638 works by) (a.k.a. Archibald William Roach)
Born: Established: 8 Jan 1956 Mooroopna, Shepparton, Shepparton area, Goulburn - Campaspe area, Northern Victoria, Victoria, ; Died: Ceased: 30 Jul 2022 Warrnambool, Warrnambool area, Western District, Victoria,
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Gunditjmara ; Aboriginal Bundjalung
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Works By

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1 Cradle of Life Archie Roach , 2023 single work poetry
— Appears in: A Line in the Sand 2023;
1 1 y separately published work icon Songs from the Kitchen Table Archie Roach , Ruby Hunter , Cammeray : Simon and Schuster Australia , 2023 26656163 2023 selected work lyric/song prose essay

'The ultimate illustrated commemoration of iconic Australian musicians, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter – including lyrics, stories, photographs and tributes.  

'A year after he entered the Dreamtime, Archie Roach’s spirit continues to soar, much like the wedge-tailed eagle – his totem animal from his mother's ancestral lands. Archie's songs stand as anthems for the experience of dispossession, and have touched the lives of many with their empathetic message of shared humanity.

'Songs from the Kitchen Table is a tribute to the power of Archie’s voice, and to the career he built with his life partner and musical collaborator, Ruby Hunter. This beautiful, illustrated volume contains the lyrics to over 100 of their songs, carefully curated by Archie's manager and friend, Jill Shelton: from Archie’s breathtaking early works ‘Took the Children Away’ and ‘Charcoal Lane’, to the timeless classics ‘Tell Me Why’ and Ruby’s ‘Down City Streets’, to his final masterpiece ‘One Song’. The songs are accompanied by stories about their composition; rare photographs; handwritten lyrics; album covers and artwork; and heartfelt tributes to Archie and Ruby from fans and fellow musicians.

'With forewords by their long-time friends Paul Kelly and Emma Donovan, Songs from the Kitchen Table is a celebration of one of Australia’s great creative partnerships, and a tribute to the ongoing power of plain-spoken truths.' (Publication summary)

1 Archie Roach Archie Roach , 2021 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Life After 2021;
1 y separately published work icon My Songs 1989-2021 Archie Roach , Australia : Bloodlines , 2021 24556806 2021 selected work lyric/song

'My Songs: 1989 - 2021 is the career-spanning anthology album from Archie Roach.Archie Roach AM is one of Australia's iconic storytellers and cultural figures. As a proud Maar Nation Elder from southwest Victoria on his mother's side and Bundjalung man from NSW northern rivers country on his father's side, as a singer, songwriter and author, and as a vocal survivor of the Stolen Generations, Archie has carved a unique path through four decades of Australian culture.Archie's career as a recording artist spans ten albums, numerous soundtracks and a number of compilations of his work. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2020, and made a member of The Order Of Australia in 2015 for his lifetime contributions to music and activism. Beyond these honours, Archie's music has won countless awards, including eight ARIA Awards.Archie's autobiography Tell Me Why (2020) introduced him as an author. The award winning memoir details Archie's extraordinary odyssey as a stolen child, removed from his family at the age of two, whose journey to reconnect with his people and understand his identity shaped the artist, activist and leader we know today. Archie's activism, continues through The Archie Roach Foundation, dedicated to nurturing meaningful opportunities for First Nation artists.'  (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Tell Me Why : The Story of My Life and My Music Archie Roach , Cammeray : Simon and Schuster Australia , 2021 20775966 2021 single work autobiography young adult

'‘There are many Australian stories, and mine is just one about what happened to me and other First Peoples of this country. It’s important for me to tell my story – because it’s not just part of my healing but of this country’s as well. We all have a story and as you read this book I would like you to think of your own story, what that means and who is also a part of your story.’     
 
'In his inspirational, highly acclaimed memoir – and including reflections from First Nations Elders and young people – Archie Roach tells the story of his life and his music. Only two when he was forcibly removed from his family, and brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, Archie’s world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of. It took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was. 
 
'Tell Me Why is an unforgettable story of resilience, strength of spirit and hope.'

Source : publisher's blurb

1 y separately published work icon Live Recording : Archie Roach on Resilience, Creativity and Music Archie Roach (presenter), 2019 23469855 2019 single work podcast interview

'Legendary singer-songwriter and storyteller Archie Roach shares stories from his life. This is a live recording from our event.'  (Production summary)

1 11 y separately published work icon Tell Me Why : The Story of My Life and My Music Archie Roach , Cammeray : Simon and Schuster Australia , 2019 16745125 2019 single work autobiography

'One of the most powerful and highly anticipated Australian stories to be told.

'No one has lived as many lives as Archie Roach – stolen child, seeker, teenage alcoholic, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius, and leader – but it took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was.

'Roach was only a few years old when he was forcibly removed from his family. Brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, his world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of.

'In this intimate, moving and often shocking memoir, Roach’s story is an extraordinary odyssey through love and heartbreak, family and community, survival and renewal – and the healing power of music. Overcoming enormous odds to find his story and his people, Roach voices the joy, pain and hope he found on his path through song to become the legendary singer-songwriter and storyteller that he is today – beloved by fans worldwide.

'Tell Me Why is a stunning account of resilience and the strength of spirit – and of a great love story.' (Publication summary)

1 4 y separately published work icon Butcher Paper, Texta, Black Board and Chalk Ruby Hunter , Archie Roach , Collingwood : One Day Hill , 2012 Z1897301 2012 single work children's fiction lyric/song children's

The product of 15 years work of Aboriginal singer songwriter Ruby Hunter with support from her partner Archie Roach. This stunning children's song book, Butcher Paper, Texta, Black Board and Chalk is beautifully illustrated and accompanied with a music CD and informative DVD.

Many of the songs were written by children in the Cape York, Penisula region, through song writing and music workshops held by Ruby and Archie. Through the perspective of Aboriginal children and songwriters, the songs reflect the beliefs, pride, aspirations and issues of clan groups and Aboriginal communities for the coastal savannahs of Kowanjama to the rainforest of Lockhart River. (Source: ABS Shop website: http://shop.abc.net.au)

1 4 y separately published work icon Took the Children Away Archie Roach , Ruby Hunter (illustrator), Peter Hudson (illustrator), Camberwell East : One Day Hill , 2010 Z1740015 2010 single work picture book lyric/song children's

'"Took the Children Away", is a moving indictment of the treatment of indigenous children from the 'Stolen Generation' and a song which 'struck 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 magazine's Top 100 Albums for 1992.

'From the lyrics of this iconic song a very special book for children of all ages has been created. Featuring he heart wrenching lyrics of Archie Roach and the classic artwork of his late wife and soul-mate Ruby Hunter, this book is destined to become a masterpiece.

'Renowned Queensland artist, Peter Hudson has adorned the book with his stunning landscapes of South West Victoria - Archie's traditional lands.' (From the publisher's website.)

1 [Extract] Took the Children Away i "This story's right, the story's true", Archie Roach , 2010 single work poetry extract
— Appears in: The ABC Book of Australian Poetry : A Treasury of Poems for Young Children 2010; (p. 114)
1 On the Spot : Archie Roach Archie Roach , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 14 November 2009; (p. 5)
1 1 The Greatest Show on Earth Patrick Nolan , Donna Abela , Scott Saunders (composer), Archie Roach (composer), 2007 single work musical theatre 'A rough and tumble story inspired by the traveling shows of outback Australia, this showground spectacular celebrates Tom Mack's Carnival coming to town complete with boxers, feisty beauties, clowns and flying machines. "Some folks inherit the farm or the family silver" says Tom "but I got this Carnival".' Source: http://qmf.org.au (Sighted 24/07/2007)
1 5 Ruby's Story Ruby Hunter (composer), Archie Roach (composer), 2004 single work musical theatre

'Ruby's Story is a passionate and emotionally moving concert about stolen children and stolen water, sung and recounted by Ngarrindjeri woman Ruby Hunter and her partner in music and life, Archie Roach (Yorta Yorta).

The much loved and respected Ruby and Archie, both members of the Stolen Generation, are accompanied by Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra in this truly unique performance. The concert recounts Ruby's birth by the side of a billabong near the banks of the Murray River in SA. It charts her search for identity, the discovery of hope through love, and Ruby and Archie's return to the river to build a new life and a new home, to mend the wounds of the past.

Through lyrical and poignant songs, Ruby's Story is a tale about the abuse of power and the power of love; about facing up to past wrongs; and our shared responsibility to battle for the survival of our environment and the great river systems upon which all of our lives depend' Source: http://www.aao.com.au/(Sighted 1/6/04).

1 9 Took the Children Away i "This story's right, this story's true", Archie Roach , 1996 single work lyric/song
— Appears in: Nourishing Terrains : Australian Aboriginal Views of Landscape and Wilderness 1996; (p. 81) Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature 2008; (p. 134-136) Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 1267-1268) Love Is Strong as Death 2019; Fire Front : First Nations Poetry and Power Today 2020; (p. 23-25)

'Although not the first song about the enforced separation of Indigenous children from their families, Archie Roach’s song, based on his own life and experience, was released at a time when there was increasing public focus on the Stolen Generations. The significance of the song also resonated outside the Indigenous community with Roach winning ARIA Awards for Best Indigenous Release and Best New Talent in 1991. Took the Children Away received an international Human Rights Achievement Award, the first time that the award had been bestowed on a songwriter.'

Source: NFSA (https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/took-children-away-archie-roach). Sighted: 21/02/2019)

1 Nowhere to Go i "We've been here for about nine years", Archie Roach , 1994 single work poetry
— Appears in: Republica , no. 1 1994; (p. 39-40)
1 4 y separately published work icon You Have the Power Archie Roach , Pymble : Angus and Robertson , 1994 Z231665 1994 selected work poetry
1 Broken Dreams Lana Abbott , Archie Roach , Cadley Sambo , Donnas Barker , Alf Drew , Stuart Rintoul (interviewer), 1993 single work oral history
— Appears in: The Wailing : A National Black Oral History 1993; (p. 167-193)
1 Archie Roach : You Can't Heal The Hurt Until You Have Been Sore Archie Roach , 1991 single work life story
— Appears in: Living Aboriginal History of Victoria : Stories in The Oral Tradition 1991; (p. 70-71)
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