Legendary reggae drummer Sly Dunbar of Sly & Robbie dies at 73

Legendary Jamaican drummer Lowell “Sly” Dunbar has passed away. He was one half of the famous music duo Sly & Robbie.His death was confirmed by his daughter, Natasha Dunbar. She said he died on Monday at his home in Kingston, Jamaica. The family did not share the cause of death.

In a family statement, they said Sly helped shape reggae music and Jamaican music for many generations, as reported by TMZ. They said his talent and new ideas in music will never be forgotten. The family also said his music and spirit touched people all over the world. They thanked fans for their love and support during this very hard time.

Sly & Robbie music legacy

Sly Dunbar was best known as one half of Sly & Robbie, alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Together, the duo helped define the sound of reggae, dub, and dancehall music. Sly & Robbie recorded many albums during their career, as cited by TMZ.


Their first album officially credited to them as a duo was “Sly and Robbie Present Taxi,” released in 1981. The duo also worked as music producers, not just performers. They worked with global artists like Madonna, No Doubt, and The Rolling Stones. Sly Dunbar was 73 years old at the time of his death.

Music outlet Clash also confirmed that Sly Dunbar has passed away. Clash reported that he died on January 25, with the news confirmed through official sources. According to DancehallMag, Sly had been dealing with health problems for around 10 years. DancehallMag also said that no official cause of death has been mentioned.

Early life in Kingston

Sly Dunbar’s full name was Lowell Fillmore Dunbar. He grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, surrounded by the island’s rich music culture. Sly was known as a flexible and highly skilled drummer with a natural feel for rhythm. His first major hit came in 1970, when he was still a teenager. He played drums on Dave and Ansel Collins’ song “Double Barrell”, which became a big hit in the UK.

After that success, Sly became a highly in-demand session drummer. He first met Robbie Shakespeare while playing in The Revolutionaries, the house band at Channel One Studios in Kingston. The duo played on hundreds of records before starting their own path. Sly and Robbie later formed their own label, Taxi Records. They became famous for their near-telepathic musical connection. Their names became a symbol of quality in studio recordings.

Global influence on pop music

In the early 1980s, Sly & Robbie made a new digital-style sound. This sound helped show the future rise of dancehall music. Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, brought Sly & Robbie to Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, as noted by Clash. At the studio, they became the main music team for many big recordings.

They worked with famous artists like Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, Herbie Hancock, and The Rolling Stones. Their music had a big impact on modern pop music around the world. Even with global success, they stayed very close to Jamaican music. In 1992, Sly & Robbie co-produced “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers, a famous dancehall song. Robbie Shakespeare passed away in 2021, bringing one of the most iconic music partnerships to an end.

FAQs

Q1. Who was Sly Dunbar?

Sly Dunbar was a famous Jamaican drummer and one half of the legendary music duo Sly & Robbie, known for shaping reggae and dancehall music.

Q2. How did Sly Dunbar die?

Sly Dunbar died at his home in Kingston, Jamaica, and his family has not shared the cause of his death.