In recent years Archie has faced the sudden death of his life partner and musical collaborator of 38 years, Ruby Hunter and went on to survive a debilitating stroke and lung cancer.
Forcibly removed at only two from loving parents, six other siblings and his community, Roach’s early years were equally traumatic. He became a teenage alcoholic and drifted into destitution whilst searching for his identity and place.
Tell Me Why, the title of his award winning memoir (Simon and Schuster) and companion album, is an intimate, moving and often confronting account of his resilience and strength of spirit, and also of a great love story. It’s an extraordinary odyssey of love and heartbreak, family and community, survival and renewal – and the healing power of music.
Roach voices the joy, pain and hope he found on his path through these songs to become this country’s foremost First Nations singer-songwriter and storyteller that he is today – beloved and respected by fans worldwide
