Osibisa Founder, Teddy Osei Passes Away at 88
Teddy Osei, the celebrated Ghanaian musician and founding member of the iconic Afro-rock band Osibisa, has passed away at the age of 88.
The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) President, Bessa Simons, confirmed the news during an interview with Hitz FM, revealing that Osei died on the morning of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Born in December 1937 in Kumasi, Teddy Osei discovered his passion for music while playing the saxophone with friends in Sekondi. After graduating, he briefly worked as a building inspector before forming his first band, “The Comets,” which enjoyed local fame in Ghana.
In 1962, Osei earned a government grant to study music and drama in London. His move to the UK set the stage for the formation of Osibisa in 1969. The band pioneered the Afro-rock genre, gaining global recognition in the 1970s for its unique fusion of African rhythms and Western rock.
Teddy Osei’s innovative contributions to music have cemented his legacy as a trailblazer in the Afro-rock genre. His passing is a great loss to Ghanaian music and the global music community.