Highlife legend Ebo Taylor dies at 90

Ghanaian music legend Ebo Taylor has passed away at 90. He died on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Saltpond Hospital, just a day after launching the Ebo Taylor Music Festival and a month after celebrating his 90th birthday.

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) announced his death, with president Bessa Simons stating, "Ghana and indeed the world has lost a great son"

In its statement MUSIGA said: “Uncle Ebo Taylor Rest in perfect peace.”  

MUSIGA's tribute to Ebo Taylor was heartfelt, calling him "Saltpond's light … Ghana's legend … the world's icon". They highlighted his incredible career, where he formed and led over a dozen bands, including his final ensemble, the Ebo Taylor and Family Band.

Musicians and fans globally are mourning his loss, crediting him with putting West African music on the map. His legacy will live on through his music and influence on future generations.

Born Deroy Taylor on January 6, 1936, in Cape Coast, he was an influential guitarist, composer, bandleader, and producer who shaped highlife and Afrobeat music in Ghana and beyond for over six decades .

Taylor's music blended traditional rhythms with jazz, funk, and soul, creating a signature sound. He rose to prominence in the late 1950s with the Stargazers and Broadway Dance Band, and later worked with Fela Kuti in London. His notable works include "Love and Death" (2008), "Appia Kwa Bridge" (2012), and "Yen Ara" (2018). International artists like Usher have sampled his work .