Tribute to Amadou Bagayoko: Celebrated Musician of Amadou & Mariam Dies at 70
Amadou Bagayoko, of the acclaimed duo Amadou & Mariam, has died at 70. A significant figure in Malian and global music, he was known for blending Malian rhythms with Western rock. His musical journey began at the Institute for the Young Blind, and he enjoyed considerable success in Europe and beyond. The duo were prominent figures in music festivals and had numerous collaborations, including a Grammy-nominated album.
Amadou Bagayoko, the renowned singer and guitarist of the Grammy-nominated Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, has passed away at the age of 70. According to Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé, Bagayoko died on Friday in Bamako, where he was born. His family confirmed that he had been unwell for some time, yet the specific cause of death remains undisclosed.
Bagayoko lost his sight at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract. He honed his musical skills at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, where he met his wife and musical partner, Mariam Doumbia, who had been blind since the age of 5. They performed together extensively in Mali throughout the 1970s and 1980s, before gaining recognition in Europe during the mid-1990s.
As a duo, Amadou & Mariam effectively showcased Malian music on an international platform, earning acclaim from notable figures such as Stevie Wonder and David Gilmour. Damon Albarn notably collaborated with the duo on their Grammy-nominated 2009 album, “Welcome to Mali,” and invited them to perform at Blur’s reunion shows in 2009.
Bagayoko was celebrated for his unique blend of Malian music with Western rock influences, which earned him a place on Rolling Stone’s list of the 250 Best Guitarists. He remarked, “People are often surprised when we explain how much we were influenced by Western pop music,” reflecting on his exposure to artists like Rod Stewart and Led Zeppelin, which were among the few records available in Mali during his youth.
Throughout the last twenty years, Amadou & Mariam have been prominent figures at major music festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza. They have also opened for renowned bands such as Coldplay and U2.
In recent years, Amadou & Mariam released two albums: “Folila” in 2012 and “La Confusion” in 2017. They were set to perform at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, singing Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je suis venu te dire que je m’en vais.”
Amadou Bagayoko’s passing marks a significant loss in the music world, particularly for fans of Malian music and global music fusion. His contributions, alongside Mariam Doumbia, have not only enriched Malian culture but also inspired generations of artists worldwide. The duo’s success on international stages and their collaborations with prominent figures in the music industry highlight their enduring legacy.
Original Source: www.rollingstone.com
