Reggae Icon Sly Dunbar, Drummer for Sly and Robbie, Passes Away at 73
The music world is mourning the loss of a true legend. Sly Dunbar, the celebrated Jamaican drummer and producer best known as one half of the groundbreaking production duo Sly and Robbie, has died at the age of 73. His passing marks the end of an era for reggae and global popular music.
A Sudden and Tragic Loss
Dunbar's wife, Thelma, informed the Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner that she discovered him unresponsive on Monday morning. Medical professionals later confirmed his death. Sources close to the musician have indicated to the Guardian that Dunbar had been experiencing health issues for several months prior to his passing.
Tributes have poured in from across the industry. British dub and reggae DJ David Rodigan led the heartfelt remembrances, calling Dunbar a "true icon" and "one of the greatest drummers of all time who played on literally thousands and thousands of recordings." This sentiment is echoed by fans and fellow musicians worldwide.
Defining the Sound of a Generation
Born Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica, his musical journey began humbly, playing rhythms on his school desk and tin cans. While still a teenager, he teamed up with bassist Robbie Shakespeare—who passed away in 2021—to form the rhythm section for the group The Revolutionaries, also known as The Aggrovators. This band became a cornerstone of Jamaican reggae in the 1970s, serving as a key backing band and releasing their own influential material.
Dunbar's signature "rockers" drum pattern, a persistent shuffling beat, became a defining element of roots reggae. An early prominent example was on Dave and Ansell Collins' "Double Barrel," which reached number one in the UK in 1971 and marked Dunbar's first appearance on a chart-topping song.
Crossing Genres and Achieving Global Fame
The duo's influence rapidly expanded beyond reggae. A 1978 tour with The Rolling Stones inspired a harder, more energetic sound, evident on albums by artists like Black Uhuru. By the late 1970s, Dunbar and Shakespeare had established their own label, Taxi Records, and began attracting attention from international superstars.
Their prolific and diverse session work is staggering. The list of collaborators includes:
- Reggae greats like Bunny Wailer and Chaka Demus & Pliers.
- Pop and rock icons such as Grace Jones (on her iconic early 80s albums Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, and Living My Life), Serge Gainsbourg, and Bob Dylan (on Infidels and Empire Burlesque).
- Other notable artists including Ian Dury, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Cliff, and Mick Jagger on his solo work.
Dunbar described the session for Dylan's Infidels as "one of the coolest sessions that we ever worked on."
Innovation and Lasting Legacy
In the early 1990s, Sly and Robbie pioneered a bright, melodic style of dancehall with Chaka Demus & Pliers, scoring major hits like "Tease Me" and "Murder She Wrote." Their later work remained highly influential, featuring on:
- Fugees' landmark album The Score.
- Simply Red's successful cover of "Night Nurse."
- Production on two major hits for No Doubt: "Underneath It All" and "Hey Baby."
- Co-writing and playing on Omi's 2014 international hit "Cheerleader."
Dunbar's extraordinary career was recognised with 13 Grammy nominations, resulting in two prestigious wins. His rhythmic innovation, production genius, and boundless collaborative spirit have left an indelible mark on music history, ensuring his legacy will resonate for generations to come.
