Away From the Light of Day

by Amadou Bagayoko, Mariam Doumbia, Idrissa Keïta

The magic couple Amadou and Mariam are one of the most loved and successful acts to come out of Africa this century, but their story is not one of overnight success. They have been singing their warm notes for more than thirty years.

This autobiography traces Amadou’s early years in Mali, first accepting his blindness, then adapting, to finding a source of joy in music and playing alongside some of the country’s leading musicians. On meeting Mariam at an institute for the blind in Bamako, he discovers they share a passion for music and for life, they fall in love and begin their career as a duo in search of an international stage.

Away from the Light of Day is an inspiring story which reveals the source of this golden duo’s contagious music, threading its way between tradition, religion, hope and superstition.

‘Amadou and Mariam are set to become a phenomenon.’ – The Times

‘I don’t think there’s ever been a band from Africa with whom people have engaged in quite such a way.’ – Damon Albarn

‘The fizziest afro-pop blues ever bottled.’ – Observer

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2010

About the author

Amadou Bagayoko was a Malian musician.