By Cam Lucadou-Wells
One of Australia’s great singers and songwriters Archie Roach says he’s more a story-teller than a politician.
“We as a people – First Nations people – we don’t have a monopoly on suffering and trauma,” says Roach – who is touring a show based on his recent memoir Tell Me Why.
“Everyone needs to traverse that landscape and to rise above that.
“So that’s why I’m less political and more universal.
“When you get to the crux, it’s about your story – and how the powers-that-be can destruct your life.
“That’s what it’s about – standing up to that tyranny.”
If you were lucky enough to stand in the audience at The Espy’s famed Gershwin Room in Melbourne’s St Kilda to watch Archie Roach play songs from
Koorie 1988 and yarn about his days living in the beachside suburb, then you know you witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime, historic performance.
Back in the lead-up to the 1988 bicentennial, Archie was angry. Australia was gearing up to celebrate the bicentennial of 200-years of violence perpetrated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Living in a flat behind St Kilda’s famed Village Belle Hotel, Archie was recovering from giving up the drink, but instead of picking up a bottle, he picked up a pen and paper.