Who was Sly Dunbar? Jamaican music pioneer and Sly & Robbie legend dies at 73

Popular Jamaican musician and legendary drummer Sly Dunbar, a pioneer of Jamaican music, is dead. The musician, also known for being one half of the production duo Sly and Robbie, died on Monday morning after his wife Thelma found him unresponsive. Doctors later pronounced him dead.

Sly Dunbar is a two-time Grammy Award winner and 13-time nominee. He was born in Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica, and according to Rolling Stones, has played on an estimated 200,000 recordings alongside several notable individuals, from Mick Jagger and Bob Marley to Bob Dylan and No Doubt.

Dunbar and his Sly and Robbie bandmate made a name for themselves as a backing band for the Jamaican reggae group The Revolutionaries before they went their separate ways with the group. Sly and Robbie created their own music label, Taxi Records, where they recorded several albums together, including their most recent, Dubrising, in 2014.

In a 2008 interview, Sly Dunbar spoke about meeting his partner, bassist Robbie Shakespeare. He described their meeting as magical.

“It was like magic, I always say. We became producers because the radio was paying all these recordings for the producers and they were hitting. I looked down and said to Robbie, ‘What’s the future for us? We’re not owning ourselves on tape, producers are.’ So Robbie said, ‘I think we should try to own our own material, but we’re not going to stop doing sessions. We’ll play every day.’ So, we started doing songs.”

He shared that his mentor was Skatalites drummer Lloyd Knibbs, and that, growing up, he was a fan of Al Jackson, drummer for Booker T. & the MG’s, Winston Grennan, Paul Douglas, and others.

“I respect all these drummers and have learned a lot from them. From them, I listened and created my own style. They played some things I copied. Other things I recreated,” Sly Dunbar said.

More details on Sly Dunbar’s passing

Sly Dunbar passed away on Monday, January 26. His wife Thelma revealed that his death was sudden, claiming that he was sick for a while but was still very much active.

“Yesterday was such a good day for him. He had friends come over to visit him and we all had such a good time. I knew he was sick… but I didn’t know that he was this sick,” she told The Gleaner newspaper.

In a statement shared with TMZ, Dunbar’s family described him as a man of “extraordinary talent” whose “innovation and lasting contributions will never be forgotten.”

The statement read:

“Sly’s music, spirit and legacy touched people around the world, and we are deeply grateful for the love and support during this difficult time.”

Following his passing, remarkable people paid tribute to the legendary drummer and producer.

Ali Campbell paid tribute to Dunbar on Facebook. He wrote:

“Words cannot describe how heartbroken I am to hear of the passing of my friend and legend, Sly Dunbar. Working with Sly (and Robbie) on countless projects over the years, we have truly lost an originator all round wonderful soul only recently we were discussing new ideas which would have been phenomenal.”

Adding:

“Modern day beats simply wouldn't be what they are without the influence of reggae and dancehall riddims that Sly singlehandedly pioneered. Walk good, Sly, Raise one with Robbie. You will be truly, truly missed. Big love, brother.”

Simply Red also wrote on Facebook:

“RIP Sly Dunbar; Jamaica's greatest drummer. I liked him as a person and admired him enormously as a musician. I have so many of his recordings. It was an honour and a joy to work with him and Robbie Shakespeare. Sly and Robbie remain Jamaica's greatest rhythm section. RIP.”

Andrew Holness, the prime minister of Jamaica, paid his tribute on Facebook, writing:

“He was a pioneer. He integrated electronic instruments into traditional reggae beats, keeping our music modern and relevant for decades.”

Adding:

“Despite his immense international success and his Order of Distinction, he remained a humble son of the soil, always ready to mentor the next generation.”

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