Sly Dunbar, Renowned Reggae Drummer, Dies at 73

Sly Dunbar, the celebrated reggae drummer known for his contributions to numerous hits for artists like Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, has passed away at the age of 73. His death was reported by his wife, Thelma, through the Jamaican Gleaner.

As part of the influential duo Sly & Robbie, Dunbar, along with bassist Robbie Shakespeare, played on iconic reggae tracks by Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, and Peter Tosh, garnering international attention from artists such as Grace Jones and the Rolling Stones.

The duo’s collaboration extended to three of Grace Jones’ albums—Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, and Living My Life—as well as several projects with Serge Gainsbourg and Bob Dylan, including Dylan’s Infidels and Empire Burlesque.

Ali Campbell, of UB40, expressed his sorrow on Facebook, stating, “Words cannot express how heartbroken I am to hear of the passing of my friend and legend. Modern beats would not be what they are today without the influence of reggae and dancehall riddims that Sly single-handedly pioneered.”

Rolling Stone paid tribute, highlighting that Sly & Robbie were “undisputed masters of their art, bringing a nuanced, laid-back, and solid rhythmic approach.” Shakespeare, Dunbar’s collaborator, had died in 2021.

Throughout his career, Dunbar frequently collaborated with Jamaica’s Channel One Studios house band, the Revolutionaries, contributing to hits like Junior Marvin’s “Police and Thieves” and Marley’s “Punky Reggae Party.”

He earned 13 Grammy nominations over his lifetime, winning twice—first in 1985 for Black Uhuru’s “Anthem,” which was the inaugural Grammy for Best Reggae Recording, and again in 1999 for Sly & Robbie’s “Friends,” winning Best Reggae Album.

In 1980, Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare co-founded Taxi Records, a label that has launched the careers of various reggae artists including Shaggy and Beenie Man.

Brian Eno remarked at the New Music New York Festival in 1979, “When you buy a reggae record, 90 percent of the time the drummer is Sly Dunbar. You get the impression that Sly Dunbar is chained to a seat in a studio somewhere in Jamaica, but his drum tracks are actually very interesting and used over and over again.”