Amadou Bagayoko of Acclaimed Malian Duo Amadou & Mariam Passes Away at 70
Amadou Bagayoko, a celebrated musician of the Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, has died at the age of 70 in Bamako. Known for blending Malian music with Western rock, he achieved international fame alongside his wife and bandmate, Mariam Doumbia. Their impact on global music was marked by collaborations and performances at major festivals, alongside influential figures like Stevie Wonder.
Amadou Bagayoko, the renowned singer and guitarist of the Grammy-nominated Mali duo Amadou & Mariam, has passed away at the age of 70 in Bamako, Mali, his birthplace. His death was confirmed by Mali’s Minister of Culture Mamou Daffé on state television, with indications that Bagayoko had been unwell for some time, although the specific cause was not disclosed.
At the age of 15, Bagayoko lost his sight due to a congenital cataract. He attended Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, where he met his future wife and bandmate, Mariam Doumbia, who had been blind since age five. The couple began performing in Mali during the 1970s and 1980s before achieving international recognition in Europe during the mid-1990s.
As Amadou & Mariam, they elevated Malian music on the global platform, earning accolades from legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder and David Gilmour. Notably, Damon Albarn invited them to participate in his Africa Express initiative and collaborated with them on their Grammy-nominated album, Welcome to Mali, released in 2009.
Bagayoko’s unique guitar style, which blended Malian musical traditions with Western rock, earned him recognition on Rolling Stone’s list of the 250 Best Guitarists. He remarked in a past interview, “People are often surprised when we explain how much we were influenced by Western pop music… That’s because they were the only records we had in Mali!”
Over the last twenty years, Amadou & Mariam became regular performers at numerous music festivals worldwide, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza. Additionally, they had the honor of supporting major tours for artists like Coldplay and U2.
Their most recent works include the 2012 album Folila, featuring collaborations with prominent artists like TV on the Radio and Santigold, as well as the 2017 album La Confusion. Moreover, the duo performed at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, showcasing their enduring legacy in the music world.
Amadou Bagayoko’s passing marks a significant loss in the music industry, particularly for Malian music on the global stage. His contributions alongside Mariam Doumbia as Amadou & Mariam have left an indelible mark, influencing countless genres and artists. Their unique fusion of styles and impactful performances will continue to resonate with fans worldwide, solidifying their legacy as pioneers in world music.
Original Source: www.rollingstone.com
