Archie Roach Reflects On His Thirty Year Career And Final National Tour

Much beloved singer, storyteller and First Nations leader Archie Roach AM, embarks on his last Australian national tour Tell Me Why performing for one night only at Her Majesty’s Theatre. This rescheduled national tour celebrates his critically successful memoir Tell Me Why and the companion album of the same name, as well as the belated thirty-year anniversary of Roach’s seminal album Charcoal Lane, released in 1990 to critical acclaim.

He reunites on stage with pianist/ composer and Musical Director Paul Grabowsky, along with special guest vocalist Sally Dastey (Tiddas), guest musicians Stephen Magnusson (Guitars), Sam Anning (Double Bass), Erkki Veltheim (Violin) and Dave Beck (Drums). Don’t miss this special concert of storytelling, music, healing and celebration of Archie Roach’s final Australian tour. It is a real honour to have legendary Archie Roach answer a few questions about his final tour.

After celebrating an outstanding career, how does it feel to be on your final national tour?
Since last year when we could not tour at all it’s great to be back on the road, and I feel proud that I am able to share the songs from my album, Tell Me Why, with Adelaide.

What do you hope is the key message people take away from the shows on this tour?
That we are all a part of the bigger story of this country.

Will this tour cover songs from your entire career?
Not from my entire career but I sing songs from across the majority of my back catalogue.

What are some of the achievements from your career you are most proud of?
The 2012 Into the Bloodstream tour after losing Ruby Hunter – it was like my comeback from her loss and illness as well.

Is there anything on reflection you would have done differently?
No, not really. I would never have thought that this is something I’d still be doing today, thirty odd years later.

Looking back are you amazed by the impact your debut album Charcoal Lane continues to have?
Yes, it still amazes me today. As a singer-songwriter you just hope that somebody might like your music, and I was not prepared for the initial reaction the album received and it still amazes me today the reaction it gets.

How proud were you on being inducted to the ARIA Hall Of Fame?
As a recording artist you hope to be recognised for your music, and to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame was a great honour.

Apart from having a rest, do you have any other plans for your retirement?
Actually I am not retiring from performing – the Tell Me Why tour is probably the last national tour I will do… but you never know – hopefully I will be doing what I love for a good while yet.

Interview By Rob Lyon

Catch Archie Roach at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Friday 16 July. Tickets from BASS.