Roach’s sons, Amos and Eban Roach, gave permission for their father’s name and image to be used “so that his legacy will continue to inspire.” Roach is survived by Amos, Eban and foster children Kriss, Arthur and Terrence.
Roach was born in the Victorian country town of Mooroopna in 1956 to parents Nellie, a Gunditjmara woman, and Archie, a Bundjalung man. The government forcibly removed them at the age of two.
Roach was adopted by Scottish immigrants, Alex and Dulcie Cox, who raised him in Melbourne.
As a teenager, he traveled to Sydney after receiving a letter from his sister Myrtle, whom he had not met as an adult, informing him of his mother’s death.
After experiencing homelessness and alcoholism, Roach went on to a lauded music career. He released 12 records, including his ARIA-winning debut album in 1990, Charcoal Lane.
Australian singer Paul Kelly was an early supporter of Roach, who toured internationally headlining and opening for Tracy Chapman, Patti Smith and Bob Dylan, among other music giants.
Her memoir, Tell Me Why, was published in 2019.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among those to honor Roach on Twitter, writing: “Our country has lost a brilliant talent, a powerful and prolific national truth teller.”
In May, two sculptures were installed together on the shores of Lake Bonney in Victoria featuring mosaic artwork of Roach’s totem, an eagle, and Hunter’s totem, a pelican, in tribute to the couple.
“You need to hear the stories of others through music, song, dance and art; they’re what helped you survive,” Roach said in 2019.
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