Ghana has lost one of its most celebrated musical icons following the death of legendary highlife musician Ebo Taylor, who passed away at the age of 90. The sad news was confirmed by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and organisers of EBOFEST, a festival established in his honour.
According to MUSIGA, Ebo Taylor died in the early hours of Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Saltpond Hospital. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary era in Ghanaian and African music, with tributes pouring in from across the country and beyond.
In a brief statement, the union described Taylor as a national treasure, noting that “Ghana and indeed the whole world has lost a great son.”
Born in Cape Coast in 1936, Ebo Taylor rose to prominence in the late 1950s as a member of influential bands such as the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band. His talent as a guitarist, composer, and arranger quickly set him apart, making him one of the most innovative figures in the highlife genre.
In 1962, Taylor travelled to London with his Black Star Highlife Band, where he immersed himself in the vibrant African and Caribbean music scene. It was during this period that he formed a close musical relationship with Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, an encounter that would significantly shape the evolution of Afrobeat and highlife fusion.
After returning to Ghana, Ebo Taylor became a driving force behind the country’s music industry through his work at Essiebons Records, where he produced and mentored several highlife greats. Among the artistes he worked with were Pat Thomas, C.K. Mann, and other leading voices of the genre.
His contributions went beyond performance, as he played a key role in refining Ghanaian studio production and promoting local talent during the golden era of highlife.
In his later years, Taylor’s music found renewed international acclaim. Global producers and DJs sampled his work, introducing his sound to new generations. Notably, American R&B star Usher sampled Taylor’s track “Heaven” in his song “She Don’t Know” featuring Ludacris.
Taylor also released critically acclaimed albums well into his later life, including Love and Death (2008), Appia Kwa Bridge (2012), and Yen Ara (2018), solidifying his status as a timeless artist.
Tributes have flooded social media, with Reggie Rockstone describing his death as the fall of a “big tree,” while his son, Kweku Taylor, mourned the loss of a “colossus of African music.”
Just a month ago, Ebo Taylor celebrated his 90th birthday and officially launched the Ebo Taylor Festival, a fitting tribute to a life devoted to sound, culture, and identity.
Though he is gone, Ebo Taylor’s influence lives on through highlife rhythms, Afrobeat foundations, and the countless musicians inspired by his work. Ghana’s musical heartbeat will forever echo his legacy.
