Ebo Taylor, Highlife Music Star, Dies at 90

Ebo Taylor, a very important musician from Ghana known for his highlife music, has passed away. He was 90 years old. He helped create a special kind of music that mixed Ghanaian sounds with jazz and funk. Many people loved his work and will miss him.
By Newsroom | Music, Ghana |

Accra, Ghana - Ebo Taylor, a central figure in Ghanaian music and a pioneer of the highlife genre, has died at the age of 90. His family confirmed his passing, noting his death occurred on February 8, 2026, just one day after the launch of the Ebo Taylor Music Festival and a month after his 90th birthday. Taylor's career spanned over six decades, shaping modern popular music in West Africa and influencing generations of musicians globally.

Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90 - 1

Taylor's work fused traditional Ghanaian rhythms with elements of jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat. This distinctive musical approach, often developed during his time studying and collaborating with other African musicians, including Fela Kuti, in London in the early 1960s, became a significant export of Ghanaian culture. His artistry was recognized with several lifetime achievement awards.

Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90 - 2

Career Milestones and Influence

Ebo Taylor's musical journey began in the late 1950s and 60s, where he emerged as a guitarist, composer, and bandleader. His contributions were instrumental in defining the sound of highlife, a genre that became a cornerstone of West African popular music. Beyond his own compositions and performances, Taylor was also a producer and arranger for prominent Ghanaian artists such as Pat Thomas and CK Mann.

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Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90 - 3

In his later career, Taylor experienced an international revival. Reissues of his work and compilations introduced his music to new audiences across Europe, North America, and Asia. DJs and collectors further cemented his global reputation. Taylor's late-life recognition allowed him to see his life's work recognized on a global scale, a journey he reportedly found peace with, noting that his moment of broader recognition came later than expected.

Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90 - 4

A Legacy of Innovation

Taylor's musical evolution included periods of intense formal study and collaboration. His formative years in London exposed him to a diverse musical landscape, where he connected with fellow African artists, a period that some suggest was key to the development of Afrobeat. Upon returning to Ghana, he established himself as a sought-after bandleader and producer.

Throughout his career, Taylor was noted for his dedication to musical craft, treating composition as an art form and experimenting with structure, harmony, and rhythm. This meticulous approach resulted in a catalog that continued to resonate across generations, earning him respect from both veteran musicians and contemporary artists. His final major act included the Ebo Taylor and Family Band, which featured his children and sustained his live performance career into his later years.

Tributes and Wider Impact

News of Ebo Taylor's death prompted a wave of tributes from across Ghana and the international music community. Musicians and cultural figures have acknowledged his significant role as a "founding father" of contemporary highlife and a "colossus" of Ghanaian music. His influence is seen as extending beyond highlife, with elements of his music appearing in soul, jazz, hip-hop, and Afrobeat.

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Taylor's passing has also reportedly reignited discussions in Ghana regarding the documentation and honoring of its cultural pioneers. His work is considered one of Ghana's most valuable cultural exports, with his catalog evolving into global intellectual property through sampling, reissues, and festival bookings that have integrated West African music into the modern creative economy.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Ebo Taylor?
Ebo Taylor was a famous musician from Ghana. He was 90 when he died. He was a pioneer of the highlife music style.
Q: What is highlife music?
Highlife is a type of music from Ghana. It mixes traditional Ghanaian rhythms with other styles like jazz and funk.
Q: When did Ebo Taylor die?
Ebo Taylor died on February 8, 2026.
Q: How old was Ebo Taylor when he died?
He was 90 years old.
Q: What was Ebo Taylor known for?
He was known for his guitar playing, songwriting, and for helping to create and spread highlife music around the world.