Ebo Taylor, the iconic Ghanaian guitarist and composer whose work helped define the highlife genre, has passed away at the age of 90.
His family announced the news on Sunday via his Instagram page, although the cause of death was not revealed.
Taylor died at the Saltpond Hospital, according to a statement from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).
His death came just one day after he launched the inaugural Ebo Taylor Music Festival, and exactly one month after celebrating his 90th birthday.
“The world has lost a giant. A colossus of African music,” the post reads.
“Ebo Taylor passed away yesterday; a day after the launch of Ebo Taylor Music Festival and exactly a month after his 90th birthday, leaving behind an unmatched artistry legacy. @ebo.taylor your light will never fade.”
Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast on January 6, 1936, he rose to prominence in the late 1950s and 1960s, an era when highlife was Ghana’s dominant musical form. Playing with leading bands like the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band, he gained a reputation for his distinctive guitar style and intricate arrangements.
