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Amadou Bagayoko of Iconic Malian Duo Amadou & Mariam Dies at 70

The celebrated musician, known for blending West African traditions with global sounds, passed away in Bamako following an illness, leaving a legacy of cultural advocacy and international acclaim.

70th Cannes Film Festival - Screening of the TV series "Twin Peaks" presented as part of 70th Anniversary Events - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France. 25/05/2017. Musicians Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia pose. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
FILE - Blind duo from Mali, Amadou Bagayoko, right, and Mariam Doumbia, seen, during a concert in Paris, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)
Blind Malian duo Amadou & Mariam comprising Mariam Doumbia (L) and Amadou Bagayoko perform at the Glastonbury Festival 2009 in south west England June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/File Photo
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Overview

  • Amadou Bagayoko, guitarist and singer of the Grammy-nominated duo Amadou & Mariam, died on April 4, 2025, in Bamako at the age of 70 after an illness.
  • He and his wife Mariam Doumbia, both blind, met in the 1970s at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind and formed the duo, achieving global fame with their 2004 album 'Dimanche à Bamako.'
  • Their music fused traditional Malian instruments with Western rock, blues, and pop influences, earning them millions of fans and critical acclaim worldwide.
  • Amadou & Mariam performed at major global events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize concert, and the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony.
  • Tributes from global artists and Mali's Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé, highlight Amadou's contributions to music and his advocacy for the blind.