Osibisa's Teddy Osei Passes On at 88
Tributes are pouring in for Ghanaian music legend Teddy Osei, co-founder of the iconic band Osibisa, who has died at the age of 88.
According to reports, Osei passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in London. The news was confirmed by Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), to Citi News, who described Osei's death as a significant loss for Ghana's music industry.
Born in Kumasi in December 1937, Osei's musical journey began at a young age, and he went on to become a renowned saxophonist and bandleader. He co-founded Osibisa in 1969, and the band's unique blend of Afrobeat, highlife, and rock music gained international recognition.
Osei's musical talents were largely self-taught, and he developed his skills by playing along to jazz records. Before forming Osibisa, he played with several other bands, including The Comets, and briefly worked as a building inspector.
In the 1960s, Osei traveled to London on a government grant to study music and drama, but his studies were cut short due to political changes in Ghana. Despite this setback, Osei went on to achieve great success with Osibisa, and his legacy as one of Ghana's greatest musicians continues to inspire new generations of artists.
Source: Lead News Online
