Born in Madagascar in 1956 of a Betsileo mother and a French father, Tao Ravao left his native island for France at the age of twelve. He took up the mandolin, then the banjo, and finally the guitar, with which he travelled all over Europe for seven years as a street musician. He met Homesick James, the father of electric blues, who became his mentor. Tao accompanied him on tour in Italy, then to Chicago. In 1980 Tao played at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.