Highlife legend Ebo Taylor to be honoured at one-week memorial this Saturday

The family, friends, and legions of admirers of the late Ghanaian highlife icon, Ebo Taylor, will gather in Saltpond this Saturday, March 14, 2026, to mark the one-week observation of his passing.

The memorial service for the legendary guitarist, composer, and bandleader, who died on February 7 at the age of 90, is scheduled to commence at 6:30 a.m. with a service at the Wesley Methodist Church. Following the church service, mourners will proceed to a designated family residence for the continuation of the rites.

In line with local custom, attendees have been requested to dress in black for the solemn occasion.

The event is expected to draw a significant gathering of relatives, fellow musicians, fans, and key figures from Ghana’s creative arts industry, all uniting to pay their final respects to one of the nation’s most distinguished musical sons.

Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast in 1936, his career, which spanned over six decades, was instrumental in shaping and globalising the highlife genre. Emerging from Ghana’s vibrant music scene of the late 1950s and 60s, Taylor developed a pioneering style that masterfully wove traditional Ghanaian rhythms with the threads of jazz, funk, and soul.

His extensive catalogue includes timeless classics such as Heaven, Odofo Nyi Akyiri Biara, and Love and Death—songs that continue to transcend generations. In his later years, Taylor’s work experienced a powerful resurgence in popularity as international hip-hop and R&B artists sampled his recordings, introducing his innovative sound to a new global audience.

Despite this later-in-life global recognition, Taylor remained a deeply revered figure in Ghana, regarded by scholars and musicians alike as one of the principal architects of modern West African popular music.

As Saturday’s memorial approaches, the outpouring of tributes from fans and industry colleagues serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of a musician whose work bridged generations and musical traditions, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Ghana and beyond.

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