The music world is mourning the loss of a true rhythmic pioneer with the passing of Sly Dunbar, the legendary two-time Grammy Award-winning reggae drummer whose innovative beats powered tracks from Bob Marley to Bob Dylan. Dunbar, one-half of the iconic production duo Sly & Robbie, died at the age of 73, as confirmed by his wife Thelma to the Jamaica Gleaner.
A Foundation of Reggae and Beyond
Sly Dunbar's career was defined by his foundational role in shaping the sound of reggae and its global influence. Alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare, known collectively as Sly & Robbie or "The Riddim Twins," he created the rhythmic backbone for countless classics. Their work extended far beyond Jamaica, collaborating with artists as diverse as Grace Jones, the Rolling Stones, and Serge Gainsbourg.
The Extensive Collaborative Legacy
Dunbar's drumming can be heard on three seminal Grace Jones albums – "Warm Leatherette," "Nightclubbing," and "Living My Life" – as well as four albums by French icon Serge Gainsbourg. His work with Bob Dylan spanned three albums in the 1980s: "Infidels" (1983), "Empire Burlesque" (1985), and "Down in the Groove" (1988).
Within the reggae canon, Sly & Robbie played on essential tracks by Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, and Peter Tosh. Dunbar also contributed to Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves," Maxi Priest's "Easy to Love," Dave and Ansell Collins' classic "Double Barrel," and Bob Marley's "Punky Reggae Party."
Grammy Recognition and Industry Impact
Nominated for a Grammy an impressive thirteen times, Dunbar secured two victories. The first came in 1985 when Black Uhuru's "Anthem" won the inaugural Grammy for Best Reggae Recording. His second Grammy arrived in 1999 when Sly & Robbie's album "Friends" was awarded Best Reggae Album.
In 1980, Dunbar and Shakespeare co-founded Taxi Records, a label that became instrumental in nurturing reggae and dancehall talent. Taxi Records launched or supported the careers of major artists including Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, Skip Marley, Beenie Man, and Red Dragon.
Tributes from the Music Community
The news of Dunbar's passing has prompted an outpouring of respect and grief from across the music industry. Ali Campbell of UB40 expressed profound sorrow on social media, stating, "Words cannot describe how heartbroken I am to hear of the passing of my friend and legend. Modern day beats simply wouldn't be what they are without the influence of reggae and dancehall riddims that Sly single-handedly pioneered."
Rolling Stone magazine paid tribute, noting that "Sly & Robbie were undisputed masters of the art, bringing a nuanced, unhurried and rock-solid rhythmic approach." This sentiment echoes the lasting impact of their work.
A Prolific and Influential Career
Dunbar's influence was so pervasive that producer Brian Eno famously remarked at the 1979 New Music New York festival, "When you buy a reggae record, there's a 90% chance the drummer is Sly Dunbar. You get the impression that Sly Dunbar is chained to a studio seat somewhere in Jamaica, but in fact what happens is that his drum tracks are so interesting, they get used again and again."
His early work included playing with The Revolutionaries, the house band for Jamaica's influential Channel One studio, while simultaneously maintaining a rigorous touring schedule. The passing of Sly Dunbar follows the death of his musical partner Robbie Shakespeare in 2021, marking the end of an era for one of music's most formidable rhythm sections. His legacy as an architect of modern rhythm endures.
