Reggae drumming legend Sly Dunbar dead at 73

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Sly Dunbar, the celebrated Jamaican drummer who, with Robbie Shakespeare as Sly and Robbie, created the foundational rhythms of modern reggae, has passed away at the age of 73.

Multiple Jamaican newspapers, such as the Jamaican Observer, announced the passing of Dunbar in Kingston. His daughter, Natasha, also shared a statement with the media, including TMZ.

Sly Dunbar, one half of the legendary duo Sly & Robbie, profoundly influenced reggae and Jamaican music for decades. His family shared that his incredible talent, groundbreaking ideas, and enduring impact will always be remembered. They expressed their gratitude for the support received during this challenging time, noting that Sly’s music, energy, and legacy resonated with people globally.

Lowell Fillmore Dunbar, born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1952, was an incredibly talented young drummer. He gained recognition in 1969 by playing on the hit song “Night Doctor” by Lee “Scratch” Perry and the Upsetters, and on the album “Double Barrel” by Dave and Ansel Collins, which featured the chart-topping title track in the U.K.

Robbie Shakespeare and his musical partner developed a signature rhythmic style in 1972, most notably the driving “Rockers” groove that became a foundation for classic reggae songs. They played on countless records, including five albums with Peter Tosh – notably his 1977 release, “Equal Rights” – as well as recordings by artists like Burning Spear, Bunny Wailer, and Gregory Isaacs.

Drummer Dunbar is known for playing on iconic reggae songs like Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves” and The Mighty Diamonds’ “Right Time,” as well as the extended version of Bob Marley’s “Punky Reggae Party.” Along with Sly, he co-founded the influential Taxi Records label in 1980 and served as the house band drummer at Jamaica’s Channel One studio. Dunbar played on Black Uhuru’s “Anthem,” which won the first Grammy for a reggae recording. Sly and Robbie, who first collaborated on the 1981 album “Sly and Robbie Present Taxi,” later won a Grammy for their 1999 album, “Friends.”

They weren’t just reggae traditionalists; they helped modernize the genre, notably with the hit song “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers in 1993, which featured digital instruments, and through their work on the Fugees’ hugely successful album, “The Score.” Their distinctive rhythms have been widely sampled in hip-hop—estimated to appear in hundreds of thousands of songs—and their influence extended beyond reggae to collaborations with major artists like Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Jackson Browne, Grace Jones (including the iconic “Nightclubbing”), Sinead O’Connor, and Herbie Hancock.

Dunbar also played on No Doubt’s hits “Hey Baby” and “Underneath It All” in 2001. His drumming has reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 twice: first with Maxi Priest’s “Close to You” in 1990 and again with Omi’s “Cheerleader” in 2012.

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2026-01-27 02:02