Ebo Taylor was a legendary Ghanaian guitarist, composer, arranger, and producer widely recognized as one of the pioneers of highlife and Afrobeat music.
According to GhanaRegions.com analyst, with a music career spanning more than six decades, he became one of Africa’s most influential musicians and cultural icons, shaping modern Ghanaian and African music.
Ebo Taylor Basic Profile
Full name: Deroy Taylor
Popular name: Ebo Taylor
Date of birth: January 6, 1936
Place of birth: Cape Coast, Ghana
Nationality: Ghanaian
Profession: Guitarist, composer, bandleader, producer
Genres: Highlife, Afrobeat, jazz, funk
Years active: 1950s – 2026
Date of death: February 7, 2026
Age at death: 90 years
Early Life and Education
Ebo Taylor was born in Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1936. From a very young age, he showed a strong passion for music and began playing the piano at around six years old. He grew up during a time when highlife music was becoming popular in Ghana, and this environment helped shape his musical direction.
As a student, he developed interest in guitar and joined local bands. In 1962, he traveled to London to study music and arrangement at the Eric Gilder School of Music. While in London, he explored jazz, funk, and soul, which later influenced his unique sound.
During his stay abroad, he met Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Their friendship and musical collaborations helped shape the development of Afrobeat music in West Africa.
Music Career
Rise in Highlife Music
Ebo Taylor began his professional career in the late 1950s. He played with several well-known Ghanaian bands and quickly established himself as a talented guitarist and arranger. Over time, he became a key figure in Ghana’s highlife music scene.
He performed with bands such as:
• Stargazers Band
• Broadway Dance Band
• Black Star Highlife Band
His music blended traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, and Afrobeat, creating a distinctive sound that influenced generations of African musicians.
Producer and Band Leader
In the 1970s, Ebo Taylor worked as a producer and arranger for the famous Essiebons label in Ghana. During this period, he helped produce and arrange music for many top Ghanaian artists and played a major role in shaping modern highlife music.
He collaborated with well-known musicians including:
• Pat Thomas
• C.K. Mann
• Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
Taylor also formed his own bands and became known for his powerful guitar playing and socially conscious lyrics.
International Recognition and Comeback
Although he was already famous in Africa, Ebo Taylor gained global recognition in the 2000s after his classic recordings were rediscovered and reissued internationally. This renewed interest led to worldwide tours and new albums.
Some of his notable albums include:
• Love and Death (2010)
• Appia Kwa Bridge (2012)
• Yen Ara (2018)
His music was sampled by international artists, bringing his sound to younger audiences worldwide. He continued performing internationally even into his late 80s.
Famous Songs
Ebo Taylor released many hit songs throughout his career. Some of his most popular tracks include:
• Heaven
• Ayesama
• Love and Death
• Come Along
• Atwer Abroba
• Saana
• You Need Love
• Ene Nyame Nam A Mensuro
These songs remain classics in African highlife and Afrobeat music.
Family, Wife and Children
Ebo Taylor kept his personal and family life mostly private. However, it is known that:
• He was married and had several children.
• Some of his children became musicians and performed with him in the Ebo Taylor Family Band.
• His sons, including Henry and Roy, often joined him on stage and in recordings.
• His eldest son passed away in 2022.
He spent much of his later life in Ghana surrounded by family and loved ones.
Health and Later Years
In 2018, Ebo Taylor suffered a stroke that affected his speech and mobility. Despite this, he remained active in music with support from his family and continued to record and perform occasionally.
Even in his later years, he remained respected as one of Africa’s greatest living musicians and a pioneer of highlife music.
Death and Cause of Death
Ebo Taylor died on February 7, 2026, at the age of 90.
He passed away in Ghana surrounded by family. The exact cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
His death came shortly after his 90th birthday and just after the launch of a music festival celebrating his legacy.
Legacy and Influence
Ebo Taylor is remembered as:
• A pioneer of Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat
• One of Africa’s greatest guitarists and composers
• A mentor to many African musicians
• A global ambassador for Ghanaian music
His work influenced generations of musicians across Africa and around the world. With a career spanning more than 60 years, he left behind a powerful musical legacy that continues to inspire artists and fans globally.
Quick Facts About Ebo Taylor
Who was Ebo Taylor?
A legendary Ghanaian guitarist, composer, and highlife pioneer.
How old was Ebo Taylor when he died?
He was 90 years old.
What is Ebo Taylor famous for?
He is famous for pioneering highlife and Afrobeat music and for his exceptional guitar playing.
Is Ebo Taylor alive?
No. He passed away on February 7, 2026.
