Yothu Yindi frontman Mandawuy Yunupingu has died at the age of 56.
Yothu Yindi
Yothu Yindi formed in the Yolgnu homelands in Australia’s Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land in 1988. Mandawuy was vocalist and guitarist.
Yothu Yindi’s biggest hit was ‘Treaty’ (no. 11, 1991). “Treaty” was written by Australian musician Paul Kelly and Yothu Yindi members Mandawuy Yunupingu, Kellaway, Williams, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Mununggurr and Marika It was also used on the soundtrack of the 1992 movie ‘Encino Man’.
The song came from the ‘Tribal Voice ‘ album (no. 4, 1991). Their song ‘Djapana’ peaked at no. 13 in 1992.
Mandawuy was named Australian of the Year in 1992 and in 2012 was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Yothu Yindi scored eight ARIA Awards.
Mandawuy was fighting kidney disease. He died at his home in Yirrkala in Eastern Arnhem Land.
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