Roger Knox facts for kids

Roger Knox (born in 1948) is an Australian country music singer. People call him "the Black Elvis" and "Koori King of Country". He is known for his powerful voice and important songs.

Early Life and Background

Roger Knox was born in 1948 in Moree, New South Wales, Australia. He belongs to the Gamilaroi nation, an Aboriginal Australian people. Roger grew up on the Toomelah Aboriginal Mission. This mission was near Boggabilla, close to the border of New South Wales and Queensland.

Roger comes from a large family with 11 children. His mother was part of the Stolen Generations. This means she was taken from her parents as a baby. She was then raised in a children's home in Bomaderry.

When Roger was young, he was not allowed to attend high school in Goondiwindi. Instead, the mission sent him to work without pay. Roger says the first music he heard was gospel music. His grandmother, who taught Sunday school, played these songs for him.

Roger Knox's Music Career

Roger left the mission when he was 17 years old. He moved to Tamworth to become a singer. He started his career in the 1980s. At first, he sang mostly gospel music.

When he was 31, Roger entered a talent contest called Star Maker. Because of his hairstyle and how he dressed, people started calling him "The Black Elvis." Later, he also got the nickname "Koori King of Country."

In 2007, Roger shared that he had trouble getting shows. He said he couldn't get booked at the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival. He felt this was because he attracted "the wrong crowd."

Working with Jon Langford

On February 12, 2013, Roger Knox released a new album. It was called Stranger in My Land. He made this album with a band called the Pine Valley Cosmonauts. This was his first album in nine years. Bloodshot Records released the album.

Jon Langford produced the album. Many famous musicians helped with it. The album's name comes from a song by Vic Simms. Jon Langford also drew pictures for the CD booklet.

The album features Roger singing old country songs. It also includes songs by Aboriginal country artists. Jon Langford learned about Roger from a book. The book, Buried Country, was about Aboriginal country musicians. Jon visited Australia and heard Roger play.

In 2009, Roger was supposed to perform in Chicago, Illinois. He planned to play with Jon Langford and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts. But his US visa was denied. The US immigration office said he lacked "cultural significance." This meant they didn't think he was important enough.

However, Roger and Jon finally toured together in 2012. They performed at the Old Town School of Folk Music. They also played at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco. In 2016, Roger joined a stage show. It was based on the book Buried Country.

Roger's Musical Style

Roger Knox describes his music as country music. He says it has an influence of Aboriginal spirituality. He sometimes uses Aboriginal instruments like the didgeridoo. But he still plays country music.

He explains that he might not sing about trains or sheep. Instead, his songs often talk about the struggles of Australia's Indigenous Aboriginal people. His music is often upbeat. The lyrics sometimes mention kangaroos and pelicans.

Awards and Recognition

Roger Knox has received many honors for his music.

• In 1993, he was named NAIDOC Artist of The Year.
• In 2004, he joined the Australian Country Music Foundation's Country Music Hands of Fame. This is a special honor for country music artists.
• In 2006, he won the Jimmy Little Award. This award is for lifetime achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Music. He received it at the 2006 Deadlys awards.

Helping Others Through Music

Roger Knox is well-known in Australia. People love him for his regular tours. He visits prisons in New South Wales and Queensland. Many Aboriginal men and women are in these prisons. Roger also performed in Canadian prisons for Native American prisoners.

Roger also took part in a project called Voices United for Harmony. This project helped improve health for Aboriginal and Islander people.

Roger's Personal Life

Buddy Knox

Roger's son, Buddy Knox, is also a musician. Buddy started playing guitar when he was 10. In 2006, he formed the Buddy Knox Blues Band. His band won an award for Best New Blues Talent in 2009. Buddy has won many other awards too.

His first album was got da blues (2008). His second album, Buddy's Blues, came out in 2010. Buddy has toured with famous bands and musicians. These include the Warumpi Band and Paul Kelly.

Buddy married Sarina Andrew. She is the daughter of the famous Aboriginal country singer Auriel Andrew. They later divorced. Their sons, Gene, John, and Ruben, have played in Buddy's band.

Surviving Plane Crashes

Roger Knox survived two plane crashes. In 1981, early in his career, he joined a roadshow. The band traveled across Australia by a small plane. This plane crashed because of engine problems.

Roger and other musicians had to be flown out from the crash site. The second plane carrying Roger also crashed. A drummer named Ken Ramsay was killed. Roger and others were injured. Roger had severe burns on his body.

An elder gave him a traditional bush medicine. It was a natural bath oil made from the Eura bush. This bush and the place where his father was born inspired the name of his band, the Euraba Band.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Other Singles

See also

• List of Indigenous Australian musicians
• Bobby McLeod