Legendary Indigenous Musician Dr G Yunupingu Dies Aged 46

Celebrated singer-songwriter Dr G Yunupingu has died at the age of 46 after a long illness.

The multi-award winning musician passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital yesterday, a statement from his publicist said.

Yunupingu, the eldest of four brothers, was born blind, but nonetheless developed into one of the most decorated local musicians of recent decades.

From his remote origins among the Galiwin'ku community on Elcho Island (off the coast of Arnhem Land), Yunupingu blossomed as a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, becoming adept with a number of musical weapons, the most distinct of which was arguably his striking vocal ability.

He sang in both his native Yolŋu language and English, his mellifluous beauty a thing of transcendence regardless of tongue. A key member of legendary group Yothu Yindi, Yunupingu was also a crucial part of the Saltwater Band, along with his own acclaimed solo pursuits.

His debut album, released in 2008, went triple Platinum, peaking at #3 on the ARIA Albums chart and earning dual ARIA Awards, for Best World Music Album and Best Independent Release.

In 2009, he was named the Northern Territory's Australian Of The Year, and was the subject of an Archibald Prize-winning portrait by artist Guy Maestri.

His ensuing studio albums, Rrakala (2011) and 2015's The Gospel Album also both achieved top-three results for him, along with a ream of additional awards and nominations. Along with his ARIA wins, he was the recipient of several other awards, including AIR Awards and Deadly Awards, including Male Artist Of The Year in 2012.

Also in 2012, Yunupingu went on to perform at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert, as part of the group of musicians who contributed to the single Sing in honour of the event, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University Of Sydney that year.

Such was the calibre of his live performances that his 2013 live album, His Life & Music (with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) earned him further nominations for both ARIA and AIR awards. He was named Artist Of The Year at last year's annual NAIDOC Awards.

According to The Guardian, his family will likely be offered a state funeral.

Several well-known Indigenous and non-Indigenous figures who were touched by Yunupingu's inimitable light have expressed their sorrow at the news of his passing, including rapper Briggs, journalist Allan Clarke, country star Troy Cassar-Daley, Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and more.

Official statement:

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