Ebo Taylor, born Deroy Taylor on 6 January 1936 in Cape Coast, Ghana, was one of the most important figures in Ghanaian music history. He was a guitarist, composer, bandleader, producer, and arranger whose work helped shape highlife and afrobeat music. Active for over six decades, his sound blended traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, and soul. Ebo Taylor passed away on 7 February 2026 at the age of 90, leaving behind a powerful musical legacy that influenced Africa and the world.
Ebo Taylor Profile
| Name | Ebo Taylor |
| Real Name | Deroy Taylor |
| Date of Birth | 6 January 1936 |
| Date of Death | 7 February 2026 (90 years) |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Occupation | Guitarist and Composer |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $100,000 |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Ebo Taylor began learning music very early. He started playing the piano at the age of six. In the early 1960s, he travelled to London to study music formally. This period played a major role in shaping his musical knowledge and exposure, especially to jazz, funk, and other global sounds that later influenced his work.
Career
Ebo Taylor’s career began in the late 1950s when he played with popular highlife bands such as The Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band. In 1962, he moved to London with his band, the Black Star Highlife Band, where he worked with several African musicians, including Fela Kuti. Their collaboration helped influence the early development of afrobeat.
After returning to Ghana, Ebo Taylor became a respected bandleader, producer, and arranger. He worked closely with well-known artists like Pat Thomas and C. K. Mann. He was also the in-house guitarist, arranger, and producer for Essiebons Records, one of Ghana’s biggest record labels at the time.
In the 1970s, he developed his own unique sound, mixing highlife with afrobeat, jazz, and funk. Although his music was not widely recognised internationally at first, it gained new life in the 2000s when DJs, producers, and hip-hop artists began sampling his songs.
In 2010, he released Love and Death with Strut Records, his first album to receive wide international distribution. This was followed by Life Stories: Highlife & Afrobeat Classics and Appia Kwa Bridge, proving that he was still creative well into his 70s. He continued performing and recording music until late in his life.
Controversies
Ebo Taylor was not known for major controversies. Throughout his career, he maintained a quiet and respectful public image. He was widely admired for his professionalism, humility, and dedication to preserving Ghanaian music while still pushing it forward.
Ebo Taylor Social Media Handle
Ebo Taylor was from a generation that did not rely heavily on social media. He did not personally manage official social media accounts. However, his music and legacy are widely shared and celebrated on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram through record labels, fans, and music historians.
Personal Life
Ebo Taylor kept his personal life private. He was known by many younger musicians as “Uncle Ebo” because of his warm personality and willingness to guide others. Later in life, he spent time teaching music at the University of Ghana and mentoring upcoming artists. He was deeply respected not just for his talent, but also for his kindness and humility.
Ebo Taylor Net Worth
Ebo Taylor’s net worth is estimated to be around $100,000 during his life time.
Death
Ebo Taylor passed away on 7 February 2026 at the age of 90. His family confirmed his death in Accra. News of his passing was met with deep sadness across Ghana and beyond, with tributes pouring in from musicians, fans, and government officials. He was remembered as a giant of Ghanaian highlife music and a pioneer whose work helped shape afrobeat and influence generations of artists around the world.