Although his solo career brought him wider acclaim, he was also formerly a member of Yothu Yindi, and later Saltwater Band. He was the most commercially successful Aboriginal Australian musician at the time of his death.
The first of four sons born to Ganyinurra (Daisy) and Nyambi (Terry) Yunupingu, he was born in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island in 1971, situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about 530 kilometres east of Darwin. He was from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother was from the Galpu nation. He was born blind, never learned Braille and did not have a guide dog or use a white cane, and was said to be acutely shy. When he was four years old, he learned how to play a toy piano and an accordion by teaching himself. A year later he began to play a guitar; despite being a left-hander, he played a right-handed guitar, holding it "upside down", which he would continue to do throughout his career.
His first solo album, Gurrumul, debuted at No. 69 on the ARIA Charts and No. 1 on the independent chart. Gurrumul peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Charts. The album was certified triple platinum. Yunupingu's friend Michael Hohnen produced the album and was his translator. Critics have heaped praise on the singer, describing his voice as having "transcendental beauty". Elton John, Sting and Björk were among his fans. When asked what he would do with any money he made, he suggested it would go to his mother and aunts, following the Aboriginal tradition of sharing wealth.
In 2008 Yunupingu was nominated for four ARIA Awards, winning the awards for Best World Music Album and Best Independent Release. He also won three Deadlys, winning for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Gurrumul and Single of the Year for "Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)".
In November 2009, he was named Best New Independent Artist, and his album, Gurrumul, Best Independent Release and Best Independent Blues/Roots Release at the Jägermeister Australian Independent Record (AIR) Awards held at Melbourne's Corner Hotel. In 2009 a portrait of Gurrumul by Guy Maestri won Australia's major art prize, the Archibald Prize.
He was again awarded the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album in 2011 for his album Rrakala. In the same year his single Bayini became the first track by an indigenous musician to reach the top five of the Australian charts.
In 2012 Gurrumul was one of the contributing vocalists on Gary Barlow's commemorative single "Sing" for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which features artists from across the Commonwealth. He performed "Sing" live at the Diamond Jubilee Concert on Monday 4 June 2012 together with many of the song's contributing artists. In 2012 Gurrumul had conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Sydney.
In 2013, Gurrumul joined Delta Goodrem for a special performance of "Bayini" on The Voice Australia. During the performance, he stated: "Yolngu are deep thinking philosophical people. The words in the song refer to many families sitting together on the beach looking to waves and sea, the horizon, contemplating."
In December 2013, Gurrumul released a live album, titled His Life and Music which was recorded in the Sydney Opera House and released through ABC Music. It was nominated for Australian Independent Record Labels Association and ARIA awards.
In 2015, Gurrumul toured the US. He released his third studio album, The Gospel Album on 31 July 2015. It debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Charts. In October 2015, the album won Gurrumul's third ARIA Award for Best World Music Album.
Yunupingu died at Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, at about 5 p.m. on 25 July 2017, aged 46. He had suffered from liver and kidney diseases for many years. Upon his death he was described as an important figure in fostering racial harmony, and as a voice of indigenous Australians. He received tributes from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, fellow musician Peter Garrett, and the Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Gurrumul History
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God knows why, because he love me so
As I grew up, my spirit knew
Then I learnt to read the world of destruction
United we stand, divided we fall
Together we'll stand, in solidarity
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Batumaŋ
ŋarranydja dhuwala Djeŋarra'
ŋarranydja dhuwala Gurrumulŋa
M.m
I heard my mama, and my papa
Crying their hearts in confusion
How can I walk? Straight and tall
In society please hold my hand
Trying to bridge and build Yolŋu culture
I've been to New York
I've been to LA
I've been to London
ŋarranydja Gurrumul
United we stand, divided we fall
Together we'll stand, in solidarity
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Barrupa
ŋarranydja dhuwala Dhukuḻuḻ
ŋarranydja dhuwala Maralitja
ŋarranydja dhuwala Ŋunbuŋunbu
Y.e, wo wäŋawu Garrapala
Dhamutjpirr, Dhamuŋura
(English)
I am Batumaŋ (ancestor)
I am Djarrami (ancestor)
I am Djeŋarra'
I am Gurrumulŋa (ancestor)
M.m
I am Gurrumul
I am Barrupa (my ḻikan)
I am Dhukuḻuḻ (my ḻikan)
I am Maralitja (my ḻikan)
I am Ŋunbuŋunbu (my ancestor)
Y.e wo of the country Garrapala
Dhamutjpirr, Dhamuŋura
In "Gurrumul History," Australian musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu reflects on his life as a blind Indigenous Australian man, born into a world of confusion and destruction. He explains that he does not know why he was born blind, but believes that God loves him, as his spirit grew up to understand the world in a unique way. Gurrumul acknowledges the struggles faced by his parents, who cried in confusion over how to make him fit into society and how to bridge the gap between Yolngu culture and the Western world. The song is ultimately a call for solidarity, reminding us that "United we stand, divided we fall."
The lyrics are in both Yolngu and English, with Gurrumul singing about his ancestral origins in Yolngu culture, identifying himself as Batumaŋ, Djarrami, Djeŋarra', and Gurrumulŋa. He also pays tribute to his ancestors in Barrupa, Dhukuḻuḻ, Maralitja, and Ŋunbuŋunbu. The song is a powerful reflection on identity and cultural heritage, as well as a reminder that we must stand together to overcome the challenges we face.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born blind, and I don't know why
I was born without sight and cannot explain the reason for it.
God knows why, because he love me so
If there is a reason for my blindness, only God knows, but I still feel loved by Him.
As I grew up, my spirit knew
Despite my physical limitations, as I matured, I became more in tune with my inner spirit.
Then I learnt to read the world of destruction
Through my unique perspective and heightened spiritual awareness, I am able to see the destruction that exists in the world.
United we stand, divided we fall
We must work together and support one another to achieve our goals, otherwise, we will not succeed.
Together we'll stand, in solidarity
By joining forces with others and standing together, we can achieve our goals.
I heard my mama, and my papa
Growing up, I heard the pain and confusion in my parents' voices as they tried to understand why I was born blind.
Crying their hearts in confusion
My parents' hearts were heavy with confusion and sadness because of my blindness.
How can I walk? Straight and tall
I want to be able to walk with confidence and pride, even though I am blind.
In society please hold my hand
I need the help and support of others in order to navigate through life in society.
Trying to bridge and build Yolŋu culture
I strive to connect and strengthen the culture of the Yolŋu people, my ancestors.
I've been to New York
Despite my blindness, I have traveled to many different places, including New York.
I've been to LA
I have also traveled to Los Angeles, California.
I've been to London
I have even traveled to London, England.
I am Batumaŋ (ancestor)
I am Djarrami (ancestor)
I am Djeŋarra'
I am Gurrumulŋa (ancestor)
M.m
I am connected to and come from a long line of ancestors with powerful names, including Batumaŋ, Djarrami, Djeŋarra', and Gurrumulŋa.
I am Gurrumul
Despite my connection to my ancestors, I am also my own person, known as Gurrumul.
I am Barrupa (my ḻikan)
I am Dhukuḻuḻ (my ḻikan)
I am Maralitja (my ḻikan)
I am Ŋunbuŋunbu (my ancestor)
I am also connected to my ancestors through my ḻikan, which includes Barrupa, Dhukuḻuḻ, and Maralitja, and my ancestor, Ŋunbuŋunbu.
Y.e wo of the country Garrapala
Dhamutjpirr, Dhamuŋura
I am connected to the land of Garrapala and other places through the Yolŋu worldview, which includes Dhamutjpirr and Dhamuŋura.
Writer(s): Gurrumul Yunupingu
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@annechangaiya1818
I was born blind and I don't know why
God knows why because he love me so
As I grew up, my spirit knew
Then I learnt to read the world of destruction
United we stand, divided we fall
Together we'll stand, in solidarity
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Batumaŋ
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Djarrami
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Djeŋarra'
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Gurrumulŋa
I heard my mama and my papa
Crying their hearts in confusion
How can I walk? Straight and tall
In society please hold my hand
Trying to bridge and build Yolŋu culture
I've been to New York, I've been to LA
I've been to London
Ŋarranydja Gurrumul
United we stand, divided we fall
Together we'll stand, in solidarity
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Barrupa
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Dhukuḻuḻ
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Maralitja
Ŋarranydja dhuwala Ŋunbuŋunbu
Y, e, wo wäŋawu Garrapala
Dhamutjpirr, Dhamuŋura
@AnaeBeilohy
God bless this man,bless his people,bless his nation..Amen
@Electricchris1
the loss of this man was so sad, his chillingly beautiful singing and lovely demeanor, he was a rare and lovely soul his spirit will not fade away.
@duncanwcraig9668
Goodbye Dr G thanks for touching and changing the life of a white boy from NZ living in Sydney. Your music got me through. Thanks for your beauty and strength.
@itsbuddhaone
You were also born a national treasure and a hero Gurrumul. Rest in peace brother!
@Lilibunny
I always loved his voice and the depth of his feelings when he sang. This is real Australia. He remained faithful to his origins <3 Rest in Peace Sir! Thank you so much for your Music. God maybe did not give you eyes but he gave you a voice and a talent and you made so many people happy with your music. At least you have no pain anymore.
@Earthsuitlife
Thank you so much for sharing you medicine Geoffrey...it runs deep into my heart. Blessings
@meganbiggs8148
His voice transcends language barriers and so full of heartfelt emotion
@maisieroblox3919
We miss you xxx :((((
@richl6966
I was so blessed to hear the man in concert at the Sydney Opera House.
This was no cheesey accident. It was my second trip to Oz and I fancied a concert at the stereotypical place.
I took a punt on a man who I'd never heard of (I'm a UK guy) and got this fella
Honest to say I'll never forget it.
@chriswashere016
You are so lucky, I was there that night and it was one of the most moving musical events I've been to. To accidentally stumble on that is tremendous luck.