Amadou Bagayoko, the celebrated guitarist and vocalist from Mali’s iconic duo Amadou & Mariam, has passed away at the age of 70. His death was announced by Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé, in a televised tribute on national TV. Bagayoko died on Friday in Bamako, the city where he was born. Further details about his passing have not been shared.
Bagayoko lost his sight at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract. He later studied at the Institute for the Young Blind in Mali, where he met Mariam Doumbia—his future wife and musical partner. Together, they formed the band Mali’s Blind Couple in 1980, gradually building a reputation that reached far beyond their home country.
The duo became known for their distinctive sound, fusing traditional Malian music with rock, blues, and pop influences. Their work received widespread international recognition, earning them several prestigious awards. Notably, their 2005 album Dimanche à Bamako earned France’s Victoires de la Musique award, followed by another win in 2013 for Folila. They also received the BBC Radio Award for World Music in 2006 for Dimanche à Bamako.
Their 2008 release Welcome to Mali was nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the Grammy Awards, further cementing their place on the global stage.
Bagayoko’s final major performance alongside Doumbia took place at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He leaves behind his wife Mariam and their son Sam, who is also a musician.