The silence spoke volumes. Stunned fans lost in the beauty and heartache of Archie Roach’s deeply personal anthem, ‘Took the Children Away’, were too mesmerised to move – until they finally erupted in applause for the little-known singer.
That was 32 years ago in 1990, when Australia discovered the incredible man who would become such a powerful advocate for First Nations people across the land, performing his achingly beautiful song as a warm-up to good friend, Paul Kelly.
Thinking he had bombed, Archie started to walk off stage, explains Paul, who says the “applause started to build and build” from an audience so moved they simply took a while to respond.
Archie was soon to be given top billing, with the track winning two ARIA awards and an International Human Rights Achievement award. He also toured with the likes of Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman and Patti Smith, with songs such
‘Tell Me Why’, highlighting the pain and suffering of Indigenous Australians.
KING AMONGST MEN
This story is from the August 15, 2022 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 15, 2022 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Beauty and THE BASQUE
EXPLORE THE COLOURFUL SPANISH CITY OF BILBAO
HOW TO GROW strawberries
CHARLIE ALBONE SHARES HIS EXPERTISE ON GROWING THE FLAVOURSOME FRUIT
SURVIVING COELIAC
UNDERSTANDING THE TOLL OF THIS CHRONIC CONDITION
MEET THE AUSSIE pas GLADIATOR MUM!
NICOLE IS READY TO DEFEND HER TITLE AS AUSTRALIA'S STRONGEST WOMAN
ELLEN'S COMEBACK IS NO LAUGHING MATTER!
THE STAR IS OUT TO RECLAIM HER COMEDY QUEEN CROWN
LEAH PURCELL 'I'M JUST GETTING STARTED'
THERE’S NO STOPPING THE MULTIFACETED AUSSIE STAR
THE DARK SIDE OF IN CKELODEON
MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS TARNISH THE FAMED KIDS’ NETWORK
Layne & Kirk SMILING THROUGH HEARTBREAK
LIFE’S UNFAIRNESS HAS THE PAIR RIDING A WAVE OF EMOTIONS
Queen Mary's new pain 'SHE FEELS SO ALONE'
EVERYTHING IS CHANGING FOR THE DANISH ROYAL – AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY
These ladies are...FIGHTING FIT
THERE IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE TO THIS CENTRAL DESERT FITNESS CLASS