Blind musician Amadou Bagayoko, half of Mali’s acclaimed music duo Amadou & Mariam, has died at the age of 70 after a long illness. The Grammy-nominated artist and his wife Mariam Doumbia, formed a group blending traditional Malian music with rock guitars and Western blues, selling millions of albums worldwide.
The couple met in 1976 and began touring together in the 1980s, using their music to raise awareness about disability issues. They gained international success with their 2004 album “Dimanche à Bamako,” sharing stages with top artists such as David Gilmour, Stevie Wonder, and Damon Albarn.
Amadou & Mariam’s biggest hits included performing at major festivals like Glastonbury and playing for U.S. President Barack Obama during a Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony. The duo won several awards, including a BBC radio award and France’s Victoires de la Musique prize.
The Mali government confirmed Amadou Bagayoko’s death, with the culture minister expressing “dismay” at the loss of a national treasure. He is survived by three children.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/05/amadou-bagayoko-of-music-duo-amadou-and-mariam-dies-aged-70