Ali Farka Touré 1939-2006

Described as the African John Lee Hooker, the blues singer and guiarist was known throughout the continent as one of its most famous performers.
Though his first album was released in 1976, his breakthrough came with his self-titled LP in 1987. His biggest impact on the western market came with 1994's Talking Timbuktu, a collaboration with Ry Cooper.
But his impact was not only music-related: in 2004 he became mayor of the Niafunké region of Mali.
Farka Touré passed away in his sleep on 6 March after suffering from bone cancer.