Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams was born in Labrapuntja[1] on 20 June 1937[2][3] in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia, one of 11 children.
[4] Around 1954, after both parents died when Gus was 17, he and siblings moved to Hermannsburg, in Central Australia, to stay with their grandparents,[1] Johannes and Maria Ntjalka.
[1] He initially became involved in evangelical Lutheran singing for family reasons; some of his great-uncles were evangelists, and his grandparents were among the first group of Aboriginal people baptised at Hermannsburg Mission.
[6] During the tour, Williams, as compère and lead singer,[9] used his platform to make political statements and to help educate non-Indigenous audiences about Arrernte people and culture.
[4] In the mid to late 1970s, he toured remote communities with Herbie Laughton, and his sons joined him in the Warrabri Country Bluegrass Band.
[1] In 1976[4] he moved to his mother's country,[6] Ali Curung (formerly Warrabri), becoming CEO of the council there and earning respect as a leader.
[1] Williams sang on Camp Fire Concert, a souvenir album released by Sundowner Safari Tour Company.