One-week celebration for highlife legend Ebo Taylor set for Saturday in Saltpond
Family, friends and admirers of legendary Ghanaian musician Ebo Taylor will gather in Saltpond in the Central Region this Saturday, March 14, 2026, for his one-week memorial observance.
The family has announced that the ceremony will begin at 6:30 a.m. with a service at Wesley Methodist Church. Following the church gathering, mourners will proceed to the next venue for the continuation of the observance.
Attendees have been asked to dress in black for the occasion.
The memorial is expected to attract relatives, fellow musicians, fans and members of Ghana’s creative arts community who wish to pay their respects to one of the country’s most influential musical figures.
Taylor passed away on February 7, 2026, at the age of 90. Renowned as a guitarist, composer and bandleader, he played a pivotal role in shaping and popularising Highlife, helping to expand its influence across Africa and beyond.
Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast in 1936, he rose to prominence during the late 1950s and early 1960s when highlife music dominated Ghana’s vibrant music scene.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Taylor developed a distinctive musical style that blended traditional Ghanaian rhythms with elements of jazz, funk, soul and early Afrobeat.
In later years, his music gained renewed global attention as international hip-hop and R&B artists sampled his recordings, introducing his sound to a new generation of listeners.
Some of his well-known songs include Heaven, Odofo Nyi Akyiri Biara and Love and Death, tracks that continue to resonate with audiences across generations.
Despite gaining wider international recognition later in life, Taylor remained a towering figure in Ghana’s music history. Many musicians and music scholars regard him as one of the architects of modern West African popular music.
As preparations continue for Saturday’s memorial, tributes from fans and industry figures continue to highlight the enduring legacy of a musician whose work bridged generations and musical traditions.
