Amadou Bagayoko, the celebrated guitarist and singer of the iconic Mali music duo Amadou & Mariam, has passed away at the age of 70. Bagayoko, who was blind from the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract, died in his hometown of Bamako on Friday, according to Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé.
Bagayoko’s musical journey began at the Mali Institute for the Young Blind, where he met Mariam Doumbia, his future wife and musical partner. Together, they formed Mali’s Blind Couple in 1980, blending traditional African sounds with rock, blues, and pop influences. This fusion won them international acclaim and a devoted fan base.
Throughout their career, Amadou & Mariam produced over 10 award-winning albums, including the highly praised Dimanche à Bamako, which earned them the Victoire de la Musique in 2005, and Folila in 2013. Their album Welcome to Mali was nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the Grammys in 2008.
Bagayoko’s last performance with Doumbia was at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He is survived by his wife, Mariam, and their son, Sam, who is also a musician.
Source: Swifteradio.com
