The
Dili Allstars
Formed in 1986 by Paul Stewart, whose brother Tony Stewart was one of five Australian journalists killed in East Timor in 1975, with Gil Santos whose father was killed in the same conflict, the Dili Allstars is testament that music can influence the struggles of oppressed peoples.
Paul and Gil recruited fellow East Timorese musicians Zeca Mesquita, Nelito Riberio, Paulo Almeida and Australians Sonya Parkinson, Colin Badger and Colin Buckler.
The band’s first project was to record a version of the old Rose Tattoo song We Can't Be Beaten, sung in East Timorese the day Xanana Gusmao was captured by Indonesian forces.
After a request from East Timorese Bishop Carlos Belo, the group then co-ordinated two compilation albums LOVE FROM A SHORT DISTANCE and ALL IN THE FAMILY, raising $300,000 for the orphans of East Timor. Acts like U2, Midnight Oil, Yothu Yindi, Garbage, Archie Roach, Billy Bragg wanted to be involved.
Another recording, LIBERDADE, raised $80,000 for emergency relief following the troubles that broke out in December 1999.
The band have toured Australia to explain through the music that the people of East Timor yearned for their independence When Xanana Gusmao visited Melbourne for the first time he ended up on stage singing a song with the Dili Allstars at the Rod Laver Stadium.
The Dili Allstars appeared with Kylie Minogue and John Farnham at the huge concert for Australian peace-keeping troops in Dili, being the only act on the bill featuring East Timorese musicians; something that thrilled the locals. They were the only Australian band invited to appear at East Timorese independence celebrations in May 2002.
Formed in 1986 by Paul Stewart, whose brother Tony Stewart was one of five Australian journalists killed in East Timor in 1975, with Gil Santos whose father was killed in the same conflict, the Dili Allstars is testament that music can influence the struggles of oppressed peoples.
Paul and Gil recruited fellow East Timorese musicians Zeca Mesquita, Nelito Riberio, Paulo Almeida and Australians Sonya Parkinson, Colin Badger and Colin Buckler.
The band’s first project was to record a version of the old Rose Tattoo song We Can't Be Beaten, sung in East Timorese the day Xanana Gusmao was captured by Indonesian forces.
After a request from East Timorese Bishop Carlos Belo, the group then co-ordinated two compilation albums LOVE FROM A SHORT DISTANCE and ALL IN THE FAMILY, raising $300,000 for the orphans of East Timor. Acts like U2, Midnight Oil, Yothu Yindi, Garbage, Archie Roach, Billy Bragg wanted to be involved.
Another recording, LIBERDADE, raised $80,000 for emergency relief following the troubles that broke out in December 1999.
The band have toured Australia to explain through the music that the people of East Timor yearned for their independence When Xanana Gusmao visited Melbourne for the first time he ended up on stage singing a song with the Dili Allstars at the Rod Laver Stadium.
The Dili Allstars appeared with Kylie Minogue and John Farnham at the huge concert for Australian peace-keeping troops in Dili, being the only act on the bill featuring East Timorese musicians; something that thrilled the locals. They were the only Australian band invited to appear at East Timorese independence celebrations in May 2002.
