Celebrated Aboriginal musician Archie Roach has died in hospital aged 66 after a long battle with illness.

The Gunditjmara-Bundjalung elder’s death was confirmed in a statement from his sons Amos and Eban Roach, distributed by the late singer’s management agency, the Mushroom Group, on Saturday.

“We are so proud of everything our dad achieved in his remarkable life,” the pair said.

“He was a healer and unifying force. His music brought people together.”

They said their father would want his many fans to know how much he loved them for their support throughout his career.

Mr Roach died at Warrnambool Base Hospital in Victoria after a long illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

“We thank all the staff who have cared for Archie over the past month,” his sons said.

A private ceremony will follow and the family has requested privacy, but gave permission for Mr Roach’s name, image and music to continue to be used so his legacy will inspire others.

Mr Roach was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2020.

He rose to prominence with the release of his debut single Took the Children Away in 1990.

The song reflected his experience as a member of the stolen generation and earned him ARIA nominations for breakthrough artist and an award for best new talent at the 1991 awards.

It was added to the National Film and Sound Archive’s Sounds of Australia registry in 2013.

By Jack Gramenz in Melbourne

About Archie Roach

Archie Roach AM was 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 10 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.

Notable achievements and accolades

• Honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list as a Member Of The Order Of Australia (AM) 2015
• Victorian Australian Of The Year 2020
• Inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll
• Inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame and winner of 8 ARIA Awards
• Winner of the 2017 APRA Music Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
• Winner of 8 Deadly Awards. Inducted into The Deadly Awards Hall Of Fame in 2013: The Lifetime Contribution Award For Healing The Stolen Generations
• Inducted into the Music Victoria Hall Of Fame
• Inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall Of Fame. Winner of 4 NIMAs
• Recognised with the Dreamtime Lifetime Achievement Award
• Winner of the Red Ochre Award from Australia Council For The Arts
• Took The Children Away in 1991 won the Human Rights Achievement Award, the first time that award had been bestowed on a songwriter
• In 2013, Took The Children Away was added to the Sounds of Australia registry in the National Film and Sound Archive