George Burarrwanga

George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga
Burarrwanga (left) with Seaman Dan (right) in 2002
Background information
Birth name	George Rrurrambu
Also known as	George Djilangya
Born	1957 Elcho Island, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Origin	Papunya, Northern Territory, Australia
Died	10 June 2007 (age 50) Elcho Island, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Genres	Rock, Aboriginal music
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1975-2007
Labels	Powerworks, Festival/Parole
Associated acts	Warumpi Band

George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga (1957 – 10 June 2007, known in life as George Rrurrambu and George Djilangya), was a Yolngu man from Elcho Island in Arnhem Land. He was an icon of Aboriginal rock music, and was best-known as the charismatic frontman of the Warumpi Band.

Burarrwanga's musical career began in Central Australia in the late 1970s when he founded the Warumpi Band with Sammy Butcher, Gordon Butcher and Neil Murray.

In 1983 they released the single "Jailanguru Pakarnu" (Out of Jail), the first rock song ever released in an Australian Aboriginal language.

Three albums, Big Name No Blanket (1985), Go Bush (1988) and Too Much Humbug (1996), followed, including the anthemic songs "Blackfella/Whitefella" and "My Island Home", the latter of which was made famous when it was covered by Christine Anu in 1995.

Burarrwanga performed at a number of major music festivals, including WOMADelaide, the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the indigenous music events Stompen Ground in Broome and the Garma Festival in Gove.