One of Ghana’s enduring music legends, Ebo Taylor has died. He was 90 years old. His son Kweku Taylor announced the death in a Facebook post Sunday morning February 8, 2026.
He posted: “The world has lost a giant. A colossus of African music. 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. Dad, your light will never fade.”
Long standing Taylor consultant, Dr Amos Anyimadu had this to say about him: “Ebo Taylor, as I characterized him about thirty years ago – Guitar virtuoso, Highlife Originator, Afrobeat Significant – was unique and did things his own way including the timing of ascension. Perhaps now that he is gone Ghana will do the right thing in honouring him.”
Taylor has been one of Ghana’s globally known musicians of high repute. His influence on highlife and Afrobeat music is unquestionable. He was a guitarist, composer and arranger, and known as a pivot in the shaping of Afrobeat in the 1960s and 70s.
Ebo Taylor, as I characterized him about thirty years ago – Guitar virtuoso, Highlife Originator, Afrobeat Significant – was unique and did things his own way including the timing of ascension. Perhaps now that he is gone Ghana will do the right thing in honouring him. – Dr Anyimadu.
For more than 60 years, Taylor remained evergreen, churning out music and playing live music across the world.
His place in the Ghanaian and global music community is cemented.
