Yothu Yindi lead singer Yunupingu has died at his home in the Northern Territory.

The former Australian of the Year, who was 56, died at his home in Yirrkala in Eastern Arnhem Land.

He had been fighting kidney disease for several years.

M Yunupingu brought his local people, the Yolngu people, and Indigenous issues to a national stage with his musical career.

He co-founded Yothu Yindi in 1986, and was the band's lead singer and most prominent personality.

He broke records throughout his life, becoming the first Indigenous Australian from Arnhem Land to gain a university degree.

M Yunupingu The first Indigenous Australian from Arnhem Land to gain a university degree

The first Indigenous Australian from Arnhem Land to gain a university degree Co-founded Yothu Yindi in 1986

Co-founded Yothu Yindi in 1986 Became Australia's first Aboriginal principal in 1990

Became Australia's first Aboriginal principal in 1990 Named Australian of the Year in 1992 for his role in building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Named Australian of the Year in 1992 for his role in building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2012

He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2012 Yothu Yindi won eight ARIA music awards, including Song of the Year for Treaty

Yothu Yindi won eight ARIA music awards, including Song of the Year for Treaty The band released six major albums, from 1988 to 2000

The band released six major albums, from 1988 to 2000 Died aged 56 at his home in Yirrkala, NT, after fighting kidney disease for several years

In 1990 he also made history when he took over as head of the Yirrkala Community School, making him the Territory's first Aboriginal principal.

He was named 1992 Australian of the Year for his work as a musician and educator and his work in building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

He leaves behind a wife and six daughters.

His nephew, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who was born blind, also became an award-winning musician in his own right.

His first album Gurrumul won accolades and rose up the ARIA charts after its release in 2008.

Biographer Robert Hillman says M Yunupingu had a great sense of mission about his people.

"Music played an important part in the life of the Yolngu people all together. They are very musical people," he told ABC News Breakfast.

"It was part of [his] vision that music could become a political agent in making the broad mainstream Australia more aware of the rich Indigenous culture of his people."

Mr Hillman says Yunupingu became a legend in Australia's music history, and will be remembered for bringing Indigenous issues to a larger stage.

"He was one of the generation of Indigenous Australians who saw a different way ahead, and what they brought to the consciousness of Australia is going to be valued forever," he said.

"[Yunupingu] himself is a giant amongst his people and a legendary figure in Australian music."

Yothu Yindi was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame last December.

Yothu Yindi has won eight ARIA awards, including Song of the Year in 1992 for Treaty, and Best Indigenous Release for Tribal Voice.

The band released six albums, starting with Homeland Movement in 1988 and finishing with Garma in 2000.

Deadly Awards founder Gavin Jones says Yunupingu left a firm stamp on the music, Australian and Aboriginal communities.

"He was juggling a very important place culturally in his community, being an Australian ambassador, an Australian of the Year," he said.

"He was the centrepiece to an internationally acclaimed rock band and also a community education leader."

Music world remembers 'incredible man'

Music industry personality Molly Meldrum says he met Yunupingu many times and admired him.

"He was highly intelligent as well and he always treated everyone the same," he said.

"He was always open, he would somehow bring light into the room wherever he went.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 4 minutes 3 seconds 4 m 3 s Death of Yothu Yindi singer highlights life expectancy gap ( Sara Everingham ) Download 1.9 MB

"He was just an incredible man."

Australian music entrepreneur Michael Gudinski signed Yothu Yindi for their first album, well before Treaty came out.

He says Treaty remains a great iconic Australian song.

"I think a lot of people were very ignorant. I think a lot of people got on to it initially just because of the incredible dance beat and the whole vibe of it," he said.

"But I think a lot of intelligent people a lot of people found a lot more meaning than just a dance track and really listened to the amazing lyrical content."

Music specialist and biographer Aaron Corn says apart from his music, Yunupingu will also be remembered for his role in education.

"His wonderful music and the legacy of Yothu Yindi the band is something that Dr Yunupingu will be remembered for by most people around the world and most Australians, but the thing that I think should also be remembered for he was a great intellectual ... he was a great teacher and pedagogue," he said.

Garrett, Gillard, Snowdon, Wyatt, Abbott all pay tribute

Education Minister Peter Garrett, who was friends with Yunupingu and worked with him in his role as lead singer with Midnight Oil, paid tribute on Twitter.

Can't believe he's gone, my dear friend. A path breaker and leader. A shining light for his people. Rest in peace Mr Yunupingu. — Peter Garrett AM MP (@PGarrettMP) June 2, 2013

Mr Garrett helped to induct Yunupingu into the ARIA Hall of Fame last year and says he first met him with Midnight Oil in the early 1980s.

"To be truthful about it I think we're still in a bit of shock about it here in Canberra," he said.

"He was a very dear friend. He was an outstanding leader. He was a highly successful musician, if you consider what Yothu Yindi achieved, and he's gone too young."

Sorry, this video has expired Garrett pays tribute to Yunupingu

A statement from Prime Minister Julia Gillard's office describes Yunupingu as a "uniquely talented musician, a passionate advocate for Aboriginal people and a truly great friend".

"He will be remembered for his tremendous musical achievements ... he will also be remembered as a great educational leader and a champion for the Yolngu people," it said.

"He leaves a great body of work to inspire us and we will need all of that inspiration, for so much work remains undone."

Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon says apart from his music legacy, Yunupingu was a great educator and health advocate.

He says he only saw Yunupingu at a renal workshop he had organised last month in Nhulunbuy.

"He was present at it for the whole day. He was hopeful of being well enough at some point to have a transplant, sadly that was not to be," he said.

During a tribute in Parliament, Indigenous MP Ken Wyatt, highlighted Yunupingu's education work.

"Mr Yunupingu worked first as a teacher and then as an Aboriginal principal in the Northern Territory," he said.

"This began an incredible journey to increase awareness about Aboriginal Australians and bring all Australians closer together in a combined vision for our nation's future - a vision that continued until death and I hope will continue in Australia's collective consciousness far into the future."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Yunupingu was "a great leader of his people".

"He was obviously a significant cultural leader figure to the wider Australian community as well as amongst Aboriginal people," he said.

"It's tragic that he's gone and I guess it's very sad that he's gone at such an early age - but this is one of the real problems in modern Australia. Too many Aboriginal people die too young."

Yunupingu's family has requested his full name and photos not be used for cultural reasons.