Amadou Bagayoko, the Grammy-nominated Malian musician renowned for merging traditional West African sounds with Western rock and pop influences, has passed away at the age of 70. The news of his death was confirmed by the Malian Ministry of Culture, which expressed its condolences in a statement broadcast on state television. “Amadou was a blind man who made his mark on the Malian and international scene,” the ministry stated.
Bagayoko died in his hometown of Bamako. His stepson, Youssouf Fadiga, shared with the AFP news agency that the musician had been unwell for some time, although he did not disclose the specifics of Bagayoko's illness. He is survived by his wife, Mariam Doumbia, who was also his musical partner, and their son, Sam, who is following in his parents' footsteps as a musician.
Known as “the blind couple from Mali,” Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia became one of Africa’s most beloved and successful musical duos. They garnered international fame, collaborating with notable artists such as Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz, as well as David Gilmour, the legendary guitarist from Pink Floyd, who was one of Bagayoko's childhood idols.
Born in 1954, Bagayoko lost his sight at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract. He pursued his passion for music at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, where he met Mariam. In 1980, they established their band, originally named Mali’s Blind Couple, which quickly made a significant impact both locally and globally.
Initially, their music aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals living with blindness and disabilities. However, their unique fusion of traditional African rhythms with rock, blues, and pop led to a burgeoning global fanbase. Over the course of their career, Amadou and Mariam released more than 10 award-winning albums, including the critically acclaimed Dimanche a Bamako, which won France's Victoire de la Musique in 2005 and again in 2013 for their album Folila. Additionally, Dimanche a Bamako earned a BBC Radio Award for World Music in 2006.
Their album Welcome to Mali, released in 2008, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, further cementing their status in the music industry. The duo also had the honor of opening for British rock giants Coldplay in 2009 and performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert that same year, celebrating then-President Barack Obama's achievements.
Amadou Bagayoko's final performance with Mariam Doumbia took place at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In the wake of his passing, tributes have poured in from around the world. Notably, Manu Chao, the French-born Spanish musician who produced their album Dimanche a Bamako, shared heartfelt condolences online, stating, “Amadou! We’ll always be together … with you wherever you go.” Additionally, Senegalese singer-songwriter Youssou N’Dour expressed his sorrow, saying, “I will never forget his friendship. My thoughts are with my dear Mariam.”
