Renowned Ghanaian musician and highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor, celebrated for his mastery of guitar, has left an indelible mark on music history with his passing at the ripe age of 90. The news was announced by his son Kweku Taylor, who described his father as a "colossus of African music," leaving behind a legacy that will never fade.
Taylor's influence on the highlife genre cannot be overstated. His unique blend of traditional Ghanaian rhythms with modern influences from American and English music helped shape the sound of this iconic genre. As guitarist and composer, he was a true innovator, incorporating diverse rhythmic traditions from across West Africa into his compositions.
Born in Cape Coast, Ghana, on January 6, 1936, Taylor's musical journey began at the tender age of six when he started playing piano. He later switched to guitar, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in highlife music. His collaborations with fellow musicians, including Nigerian legend Fela Kuti, further cemented his status as a genre-bending artist.
Taylor's impact extended beyond Ghanaian borders, influencing artists from across the globe. His music was sampled by international acts such as Usher, the Black Eyed Peas, and Vic Mensa, introducing highlife to a wider audience. Despite struggling with health issues, including a stroke that impaired his speech, Taylor continued to create music until his passing.
Throughout his illustrious career, Taylor received numerous lifetime achievement awards for his contributions to Ghanaian and highlife music. He will be deeply missed by fans worldwide, who will remember him as a trailblazing musician who left an indelible mark on the world of music.
Taylor's influence on the highlife genre cannot be overstated. His unique blend of traditional Ghanaian rhythms with modern influences from American and English music helped shape the sound of this iconic genre. As guitarist and composer, he was a true innovator, incorporating diverse rhythmic traditions from across West Africa into his compositions.
Born in Cape Coast, Ghana, on January 6, 1936, Taylor's musical journey began at the tender age of six when he started playing piano. He later switched to guitar, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in highlife music. His collaborations with fellow musicians, including Nigerian legend Fela Kuti, further cemented his status as a genre-bending artist.
Taylor's impact extended beyond Ghanaian borders, influencing artists from across the globe. His music was sampled by international acts such as Usher, the Black Eyed Peas, and Vic Mensa, introducing highlife to a wider audience. Despite struggling with health issues, including a stroke that impaired his speech, Taylor continued to create music until his passing.
Throughout his illustrious career, Taylor received numerous lifetime achievement awards for his contributions to Ghanaian and highlife music. He will be deeply missed by fans worldwide, who will remember him as a trailblazing musician who left an indelible mark on the world of music.
he was like the ultimate highlife legend and his influence can still be felt in the music industry today 
i mean, think about it, artists from all over the world have sampled his tracks and incorporated them into their own music - that's a testament to his genius 
he was more than just a musician, he was a cultural icon 
and his legacy will continue to live on through his music, which is still widely enjoyed today 
what's even more amazing is that he didn't stop creating until the end... 2 strokes didn't slow him down 
but at least we got to enjoy his masterpieces during his time here 
so let's keep celebrating his legacy and all the amazing things he accomplished! 
so many legends leaving us too soon... Ebo Taylor was more than just a musician, he was a symbol of hope and unity for Ghana and Africa 
his legacy will live on through his son Kweku and the countless musicians he inspired 
but still sad that we won't get to see him perform live again 
. 
. RIP Ebo Taylor, your legacy will live on in our hearts 
This is sad news... 90 years young is an amazing age to leave behind such a legacy. I was born in the 80s, so I never got to see Ebo Taylor perform live, but hearing about his collaborations with Fela Kuti and his influence on artists worldwide makes me appreciate his music even more. The fact that he continued to create music despite struggling with health issues is truly inspiring 
.
anyway his legacy will live on through his music and the artists who've been inspired by him. rest in peace ebo taylor 
Respect to him for staying true to his art, even when life got tough.
! I mean, the guy could play the guitar like nobody's business and still manage to incorporate all these traditional Ghanaian rhythms into his compositions. It's crazy to think that he influenced artists from all over the world 
. I mean, 90 is old for a musician to be still rocking out at that level 
. Still listening to his old albums and trying to pick up some tips on how to play that guitar like a pro 
anyway his music sounds so good, my friend who's from Ghana said he's a legend there 
has anyone else heard of him? 
but seriously, his legacy will live on through the countless artists he inspired... including my fave artist Usher 
who sampled his tracks. anyway, 90 is way too young for him to leave us... RIP Ebo Taylor 
. i remember listening to his songs as a kid and being blown away by his guitar playing 
. and can you believe he collabed with fela kuti?! 
guess he was lucky to have lived 90 years or something, can't imagine having that kinda life span lol anyway i mean Ebo Taylor was supposed to be some kinda legend but honestly i never got into his music, highlife sounds old and dusty to me...anyway i heard he collaborated with Fela Kuti which is kinda cool i guess, but what's up with all these artists sampling his stuff now? like they're trying to make a quick buck off someone else's legacy 
.