Malians Mourn the Loss of Amadou Bagayoko, One Half of Musical Duo Amadou & Mariam
Amadou Bagayoko, a musical legend and one half of the internationally acclaimed Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, has passed away at the age of 70 after a period of illness, his family confirmed to AFP on Friday. The blind guitarist and singer, known for his vibrant blend of Malian rhythms and Western rock, breathed his last in a Bamako clinic.
Together with his wife, Mariam Doumbia, Amadou formed a partnership that transcended musical boundaries, merging traditional African instruments with blues and rock influences. The couple’s musical journey began when they met at Bamako’s institute for the young blind in the 1970s, eventually rising to become one of Africa’s most celebrated musical acts.
Reports indicate that Amadou had been battling illness for some time, as shared by his son-in-law, Youssouf Fadiga. Their long-time manager, Yannick Tardy, based in France, revealed that Amadou had been feeling fatigued and was subsequently admitted to a clinic, where he later passed away.
Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffe, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing it as “dismaying.”
Amadou and Mariam’s musical odyssey began in 1976 when they bonded over their shared passion for music. In their early years, they embarked on tours to raise awareness about blindness and disability. Their music, which expertly fused the balafon, kora, and djembe with the sounds of James Brown and Pink Floyd — a band Amadou deeply admired, resonated with audiences worldwide.
The duo reached new heights with their 2004 album Dimanche à Bamako, produced by Manu Chao, which propelled them to global fame. Manu Chao paid tribute to Amadou on Instagram, expressing, “We will always be together… With you, wherever you go,” alongside a photo of the trio.
Frequently referred to as “the blind couple from Mali,” Amadou and Mariam shared the stage with prominent artists like Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz, as well as Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. They graced renowned venues such as Glastonbury and toured with music icons like U2, Stevie Wonder, and Coldplay.
In 2009, they performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in honor of then-US President Barack Obama, who later met the duo. Reflecting on the encounter in a 2024 interview, Amadou fondly recalled, “Barack Obama told us he liked our music – and Malian music too.” Mariam added, “We were very, very happy.”
The duo received a Grammy nomination in 2010 and garnered accolades at the BBC Radio Awards and France’s Victoires de la Musique.
Amadou Bagayoko is survived by his wife Mariam and their three children.
