The music world is mourning the loss of a true legend, as Grammy-winning drummer Sly Dunbar, one half of the iconic Jamaican rhythm section and production duo Sly and Robbie, has died at the age of 73. His passing marks the end of an era for reggae and dub music, leaving a profound void in the industry.
A Pioneering Career Cut Short
Lowell Fillmore ‘Sly’ Dunbar passed away on Monday morning, as confirmed by his wife Thelma to Jamaican publication the Gleaner. She reportedly found him unresponsive, with doctors later pronouncing him dead. While no official cause of death has been disclosed, sources indicated to The Guardian that he had ‘been unwell for some months’, suggesting a period of declining health prior to his untimely demise.
The Rise of a Reggae Icon
Born in Kingston in 1952, Dunbar’s musical journey began early. By age 15, he was playing in a band called The Yardbrooms, and his first recording appearance came on the Dave and Ansell Collins album Double Barrel. He later joined a band with Ansell Collins named Skin, Flesh and Bones, honing his craft before a fateful meeting in 1972.
It was that year he connected with bassist Robbie Shakespeare, forging a partnership that would revolutionise music. They officially teamed up in the mid-1970s, after both had established themselves as solo musicians, and went on to found the influential Taxi Records label in 1980.
Legendary Collaborations and Accolades
Sly and Robbie became synonymous with innovation in reggae and dub, but their influence stretched far beyond. Dunbar’s drumming powered seminal tracks like Junior Murvin’s Police and Thieves and Bob Marley’s Punky Reggae Party. The duo’s prolific work included:
- Playing on Bob Dylan’s albums Infidels and Empire Burlesque.
- Contributing to three Grace Jones albums.
- Collaborating with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, and the Rolling Stones.
- Working with Simply Red, Carly Simon, Sinead O’Connor, Yoko Ono, Jackson Browne, and Gary Barlow.
His career was also marked by significant acclaim. Dunbar received 13 Grammy nominations, winning twice: in 1984 for best reggae recording and in 1998 for best reggae album, cementing his status as a musical giant.
A Profound Loss for Music
Dunbar’s death comes just five years after the passing of his musical partner, Robbie Shakespeare, who died in 2021 at age 68 following kidney surgery. At that time, Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange paid tribute, highlighting their immense contribution: ‘Robbie and Sly Dunbar, the drummer, as Sly and Robbie, have been among Jamaica’s greatest musicians. This fantastic team took bass playing and drumming to the highest level.’
The duo’s legacy is one of groundbreaking sound and cultural impact, with Dunbar’s rhythmic genius leaving an indelible mark on genres worldwide. As tributes pour in, the music community reflects on a life dedicated to artistic excellence and innovation.
