Guitarist and singer Amadou Bagayoko dies at 70 following an illness

I asked the doctor to check him,

After he was taken to hospital ... Mariam added

I thought that, if Amadou went just like that, then me, I'm alone. I was alone and I will remain alone in life,

Mariam added

Mariam, Sam, the whole family, your pain is my pain. I love you,

he added

There were many musicians, many artists there. And Barack Obama came to meet us." ... We talked a bit. Barack Obama told us that he liked our music. Malian music, too. We were very, very happy."

The pair were even recognised by US president Barack Obama, with Amadou gushing in 2024 ... Mariam added

Rip Amadou Bagayoko, thanks for some great live experiences. Now I know what we listening to all day."

Other tributes have flooded in for the star, with one social media user tweeting

Amadou Bagayoko from Amadou and Mariam died. I saw them perform in Dublin a few years ago and the gig was electric - all sorts of people at it, dancing in their seats in the National Concert Hall." ... Sad to hear on #r4today that Amadou Bagayoko has died. Was looking forward to next month’s Amadou & Mariam Brighton Dome show."

Another echoed ... As someone else added

Youssou N'Doursongwriter

I will never forget his friendship,

said Senegalese singer-songwriter Youssou N'Dour

Manu Chaomusician

Amadou! We'll always be together ... with you wherever you go,

said French-born Spanish musician Manu Chao, who produced "Dimanche a Bamako".

He had been ill for a while,

Amadou’s son-in-law Youssouf Fadiga told Agence-France Presse