Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia are the blind husband and wife team from Mali who first gained widespread international attention in 2005 with their album `` Dimanche a Bamako '' . Amadou and Mariam have made the crossover to find international pop success . After writing and performing together since they met at Institute of Young Blind of Bamako in 1977 , their international break-through came when world music heavyweight Manu Chao produced their commercial hit album . With a more pop-friendly sound but with the couple 's positive and mesmeric vocals and Bagayoko 's guitar playing , the duo have been feted by musicians across the world ; the played opening sets for the Scissor Sisters and will be the opening act for Coldplay on their latest tour . Having made the transition from world music to international pop sensations the couple talk to African Voices about their journey through music , coping with the setback of blindness and how their careers are on a high over 30 years after they began singing . Watch the show on CNN on Saturday July 25 , 12.30 , 21.30 GMT and Sunday July 26 , 18.00 GMT .
Blind husband and wife team from Mali have become international music stars . Met at Institute for Young Blind in Bamako in 1977 , married three years later . 2005 album brought them crossover fame ; opening act for Coldplay before solo tour .