Black Allan Barker

Who was Black Allan Barker?

Allan Moarywaalla Barker, known as Black Allan Barker, is a singer and songwriter from Port Hedland. He described his music as "Aboriginal grassroots blues". Barker was a co-founder of Greenpeace Australia. Barker only recorded one album, 1983's Fire Burning. "Black Al" was well known for his performing in Sydney's Central Station tunnel in 1991 where he sang in language whilst his son Alan Jr accompanied him on didgeridoo. Barker spent some time in Nimbin during the 1990s and was involved with local Aboriginal youth in cultural and musical pursuits.

Barker sang both "Run Dingo Run" and "Take Me Back", in both the SBS documentary and accompanying cd, Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music.