Amadou Bagayoko, Icon of Amadou & Mariam, Passes Away at 70

Amadou Bagayoko, the 70-year-old singer and guitarist of the acclaimed duo Amadou & Mariam, has died in Bamako, Mali. With a career spanning decades, the duo gained worldwide acclaim for their fusion of Malian music and Western rock, attracting fans including Stevie Wonder and Damon Albarn. Their influential artistry leaves a lasting legacy on the global music stage.

Amadou Bagayoko, renowned singer and guitarist of the Grammy-nominated Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, has passed away at the age of 70. The announcement was made by Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé, on state television, noting that Bagayoko died on Friday in Bamako, his hometown. His family indicated that he had been unwell for some time, although the exact cause of death remains undisclosed.

Bagayoko lost his sight at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract and later studied music at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind. It was here that he met his future wife and musical partner, Mariam Doumbia, who had been blind since the age of five. The duo began their musical journey in Mali during the 1970s and 1980s, eventually achieving recognition in Europe in the mid-1990s.

As Amadou & Mariam, the pair introduced Malian music to a global audience, garnering admiration from notable artists such as Stevie Wonder, David Gilmour, and Damon Albarn. Albarn involved them in his Africa Express project, co-produced their Grammy-nominated 2009 album “Welcome to Mali,” and invited them to open for Blur during their reunion shows in 2009.

Bagayoko’s vibrant guitar style, which blended traditional Malian music with Western rock influences, earned him a place on Rolling Stone’s list of the 250 Best Guitarists. He reflected on the duo’s influences by stating, “People are often surprised when we explain how much we were influenced by Western pop music. I grew up listening to records by Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, and many others… That’s because they were the only records we had in Mali!”

Over the past twenty years, Amadou & Mariam consistently showcased their music at major festivals worldwide, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza. They also served as support acts for stadium tours featuring renowned artists such as Coldplay and U2.

The duo’s most recent albums include 2012’s “Folila,” featuring collaborations with renowned artists like TV on the Radio and Santigold, and 2017’s “La Confusion.” In September 2024, they participated in the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, performing Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je suis venu te dire que je m’en vais.”

In summary, Amadou Bagayoko’s passing marks the end of an era for Amadou & Mariam, who brought Malian music to an international audience. His contributions to music, characterized by a unique fusion of Malian and Western styles, will be remembered by fans and fellow artists alike. The duo’s enduring legacy in the global music scene reflects their impact and the cultural dialogue they fostered through their artistry.

Original Source: www.rollingstone.com