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By CODIE BULLEN FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 11:18 BST, 5 April 2025 | Updated: 11:49 BST, 5 April 2025

Renowned guitarist and singer Amadou Bagayoko of Mali’s music duo Amadou & Mariam has died at the age of 70.

The Grammy-nominated musician, who went blind when he was 15 because of a congenital cataract, died after a long battle with illness, his son-in-law confirmed on Friday.

Youssouf Fadiga told Agence-France Presse: ‘He had been ill for a while,’

Confirming the musician’s death to AFP, the Malian culture minister, Mamou Daffé, shared that Amadou died in the city of Bamako, his birthplace, but didn’t give further details.

He studied music at Mali´s Institute for the Young Blind where he met his wife Mariam Doumbia. 

After meeting in 1976, when Amadou was 21 and Mariam 18, the pair discovered they had similar tastes in music.

Renowned guitarist and singer Amadou Bagayoko of Mali's music duo Amadou & Mariam has died at the age of 70

Renowned guitarist and singer Amadou Bagayoko of Mali’s music duo Amadou & Mariam has died at the age of 70

The couple formed their band Mali´s Blind Couple in 1980, making their mark locally and internationally.

Their music, which blends traditional African influences with elements of rock, blues and pop, has won them a global following. 

They produced over 10 award-winning albums, including France’s Grammy Awards equivalent, Victoire de la Musique, in 2005 for Dimanche à Bamako and again in 2013 for Folila. 

Dimanche à Bamako also won them one of the BBC Radio Awards for World Music in 2006.

Their 2008 album Welcome to Mali was nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the Grammys.

Amadou’s last world-class performance with Doumbia was at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Amadou Bagayoko is survived by three children.

:
Grammy-nominated singer known for popular music duo dies aged 70 as fans pay tribute

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