Amadou Bagayoko, one half of the music duo Amadou & Mariam from Mali, has passed away at the age of 70. He was a renowned guitarist and singer who went blind at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract. Bagayoko and his wife Mariam Doumbia formed a band called Mali's Blind Couple in 1980, blending traditional African influences with rock, blues, and pop. Their music won them international acclaim and multiple awards.
Key Points
Amadou Bagayoko passed away at the age of 70 in Bamako, Mali
He formed the music duo Amadou & Mariam with his wife Mariam Doumbia
Their music received international recognition and multiple awards
Pros
Renowned musician with a global following
Blended traditional African music with rock, blues, and pop influences