Ghana’s music community and fans around the world are mourning the death of legendary highlife musician Ebo Taylor, who passed away at the age of 90.
His death occurred on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Saltpond Hospital. The news has sent shockwaves across the creative arts industry, with tributes pouring in from musicians, cultural leaders and fans who credit him as one of the most influential figures in African music history.
Taylor passed away just one month after celebrating his 90th birthday and a day after the launch of the inaugural Ebo Taylor Music Festival, an event created to honour his life and enduring musical legacy.
A Life Dedicated to Music
Born Deroy Taylor on 6 January 1936 in Cape Coast, Ebo Taylor rose to prominence as a gifted guitarist, composer, arranger, bandleader and producer.
Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became a central architect of Ghana’s highlife sound and played a significant role in the development of Afrobeat.
Taylor began his musical journey in the late 1950s, performing with several influential bands before forming his own group, the Black Star Highlife Band.
In the early 1960s, he travelled to London, where he collaborated with African musicians abroad, including Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, before returning to Ghana to continue recording and producing music.
Global Influence and Enduring Legacy
Ebo Taylor’s music blended traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk and soul, creating a sound that resonated well beyond West Africa.
His work gained renewed international recognition decades later, with his recordings sampled by global artists and rediscovered by new generations of listeners.
He released several critically acclaimed albums in his later years, including Love and Death, Appia Kwa Bridge and Yen Ara, and continued recording and performing into his late 80s.
His final projects reaffirmed his status as a timeless artist whose creativity never waned.
Widely regarded as a cultural icon, Taylor mentored younger musicians and led multiple bands throughout his career, with his final ensemble known as the Ebo Taylor and Family Band.
As Ghana and the global music community reflect on his passing, Ebo Taylor is remembered not only for his extraordinary musical contributions but also for his role in elevating Ghanaian music onto the world stage.
His legacy, deeply rooted in rhythm, heritage and innovation, will continue to inspire generations to come.
