In 1990, with the encouragement of Kelly, Roach recorded his debut solo album, "Charcoal Lane", which was released in May 1990. The album was certified gold and awarded two ARIA Awards at the 1991 ceremony. The album included "Took the Children Away" which became one of the most important songs in Australia's contemporary history. In 1990, Australia's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's awarded the song its first Human Rights Award for songwriting. "Charcoal Lane" featured in the top 50 albums for 1992 by "Rolling Stone" magazine.