Dr G. Yunupingu, best known worldwide as Australian indigenous musician Gurrumul, has died at the age of 46.
Dr Yunupingu was born blind on remote Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land. He sang in his native Yolngu language and performed for both Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama.
His first solo album ‘Gurrumul’ reached no 3 in Australia. The album grabbed the attention of Sir Elton John and Bjork who became fans and supporters.
Yunupingu recorded three studio albums, ‘Gurrumul’ (no 3, 2008), ‘Rrakala’ (no 3, 2011) and ‘The Gospel Album’ (no 3, 2015). He also released two live albums ‘Live In Darwin’ (2010) and ‘His Life and Music’ with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2013).
STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF DR G. YUNUPINGU
Today we mourn the loss of a great Australian, Dr G. Yunupingu who sadly passed away yesterday in Royal Darwin Hospital at age 46 after a long battle with illness.
Dr G. Yunpingu is remembered today as one of the most important figures in Australian music history, blind from birth and emerging from the remote Galiwin’ku community on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land to sell over half a million copies of his albums across the world, singing in his native Yolngu language.
His debut album cemented him as the Australian voice of a generation, hitting triple platinum in Australia, silver in the UK and charting in multiple other countries across the globe. The highest selling Indigenous artist in history, Dr G. Yunupingu released two subsequent top five studio albums Rrakala and The Gospel Album, achieved a swag of ARIA Awards, performed across the globe for audiences including Queen Elizabeth II and Barack Obama and released the first Indigenous language single to reach the top five, all the while continuing to call Elcho Island home.
Dr G. Yunupingu also gave back to his community as the driving force behind the G. Yunupingu Foundation, creating opportunities for young people across the Northern Territory. His legacy as a musician and community leader will continue as his life’s work continues its positive impact on Elcho Island, The Northern Territory, Australia and the world.
Skinnyfish Music and Dr G. Yunupingu’s family ask for your respect at this time.
