An Australian Music Legend Dies at 46
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (349734)
Rockingham, Australia
July 27, 2017 4:11pm CST
The indigenous Australian singer-songwriter Dr G Yunupingu has died, aged 46. For cultural reasons, his photo and full name are not being broadcast. He was born blind and, being left-handed, initially played his guitar upside down. He was born and continued to live on remote Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land.
He was a key member of the band Yothu Yindi then with the Saltwater Band before going on to make solo albums in his native language. He performed before many dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth and Barack Obama. Yunupingu had been chronically ill for some years and was on dialysis treatment. He chose to stop dialysis. He said his goodbyes to many of his friends before dying in Royal Darwin Hospital on Tuesday, 25th July.
He was renowned for his aversion to the media, his gentle personality and keen sense of humour. These qualities, together with his high tenor voice and aura-like persona endeared him to many people. Australia has lost a great artist.
The photo was taken in the Northern Territory, Australia, near Uluru.
Edit: Vanny (@vandana7) has kindly supplied the following link:

This song is called Wiyathul and it's by a blind aboriginal man called Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. This song has been hailed by critics and millions over th...
14 people like this
14 responses
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Jul 17
I've never heard of him. R.I.P.
6 people like this
@JudyEv (349734)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jul 17
@JohnRoberts @teamfreak16 I wouldn't have thought he was terribly well known outside of Australia although I think he had toured a bit. An acquired taste maybe.
1 person likes this


@JohnRoberts (109845)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Jul 17
Sorry, I never heard of him.
4 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (52185)
• United States
31 Jul 17
What a sad thing to read
and such a loss of a beautiful voice.

1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349734)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Aug 17
Although it's very sad, I'm kind of pleased he was able to choose when he wanted to go and not hang around being so sick.
@andriaperry (118595)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Jul 17
I dont know this one.
That is an awesome photo.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349734)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Aug 17
I think he was possibly only well-known to his fans.
@JudyEv (349734)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jul 17
He'd been on dialysis for quite some time I gather. It must have really got him down and he just decided to stop having it.
