Legendary Ghanaian guitarist, composer, and bandleader Ebo Taylor, whose influential work defined highlife and inspired many musicians across Africa and beyond, has passed away at the age of 90, according to his family.
Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast in 1936, he gained prominence in the late 1950s and 60s by blending traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat.
During a formative period in London, he collaborated with fellow African musicians, including Fela Kuti, which significantly influenced the development of Afrobeat.
After returning to Ghana, Taylor became a popular bandleader, arranger, and producer, working with top artists like Pat Thomas and CK Mann.
Over his six-decade career, his music evolved while remaining rooted in Ghanaian culture. Albums such as Love & Death, Appia Kwa Bridge, and Yen Ara introduced his work to international audiences, and his tracks have been sampled by artists like Usher, the Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland, and Jidenna- ensuring his sound endures for new generations.
Tributes have poured in: music producer Panji Anoff called him “Uncle Ebo,” a mentor who treated everyone equally, while rapper Black Sherif called him “a legend whose music created worldwide ripples.”
Ghana’s presidential spokesperson honoured Taylor as a cultural giant whose work helped elevate Ghanaian music globally.
His legacy influenced contemporary African music, such as Afrobeat, and cemented his place in the history of global popular music.