Malian musician Amadou Bagayoko, half of the influential blind duo Amadou and Mariam, has died aged 70. Born in 1954, Bagayoko lost his sight at 15 due to a congenital cataract. He met his wife, Mariam, while studying music at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind.
The couple formed their band, Mali’s Blind Couple, in 1980 and blended traditional African sounds with rock, blues, and pop to gain a global following. Their critically acclaimed albums won numerous awards, including France’s Victoire de la Musique and a Grammy nomination. Amadou and Mariam performed alongside notable artists like Damon Albarn and David Gilmour, and opened for British band Coldplay in 2009.
Bagayoko died in Bamako, his birthplace, after a battle with illness. He is survived by wife Mariam and son Sam. International musicians have paid tribute to Bagayoko, including Manu Chao and Youssou N’Dour, who remembered him as a friend and fellow artist.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/5/iconic-malian-musician-amadou-bagayoko-dies-at-70