At night, his guitar comes into my mind': Amadou and Mariam's surviving singer on life after losing her husband and musical partner

"On 4 April, Amadou Bagayoko died suddenly, aged 70, in Bamako, Mali. The country's ministry of culture announced the news. Thousands attended the funeral, including former collaborators Manu Chao, Youssou N'Dour, MalianFrench rapper Mokobe and Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa, all paying homage to a man they knew as an uncle, a blues-guitar giant, a leader, a friend. I miss him so much, says Mariam Doumbia, his wife and musical partner of 44 years in the duo Amadou and Mariam."

"We did everything together. We travelled together. We composed together. The sound of his guitar is always between my two ears. Especially at night, it comes into my mind. Even right now, I just heard it. Dressed with characteristic verve in white lace, gold jewellery and black shades, Doumbia is on a video call, to discuss, in French, the duo's forthcoming ninth album L'amour a la folie. By her side is her son, Samou."

"This is the first album to be released since Bagayoko's death. The day after Bagayoko died, Doumbia was interviewed on French TV. Enveloped in a long white floral headscarf, she recounted how, though he had been ill for a while, he had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. I took his hand, I put my hand on his hand, on his body, he wasn't talking, and I said: Ah, Amadou, Amadou, don't do this, speak to Mariam. Amadou, Amadou. Amadou, Amadou.'"

Amadou Bagayoko died suddenly on 4 April in Bamako, Mali, aged 70. Thousands attended the funeral, including Manu Chao, Youssou N'Dour, Mokobe and Fally Ipupa. Mariam Doumbia, his wife and musical partner for 44 years in the duo Amadou and Mariam, described deep grief and recalled shared travels, compositions and the persistent sound of his guitar. Doumbia and her son Samou are promoting a forthcoming ninth album, L'amour a la folie, the first to be released since Bagayoko's death. Doumbia recounted holding his hand as his condition worsened and arriving at hospital where he had already died. Doumbia invited fans to continue celebrating and partying in his memory.

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