Sly Dunbar, Legendary Reggae Drummer and Producer, Passes Away at 73
The music world is mourning the loss of Sly Dunbar, the celebrated Jamaican drummer and producer who formed one half of the influential production duo Sly and Robbie. He died at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy that helped define the sound of roots reggae and dancehall music across the globe.
Tributes Pour In for a Musical Icon
Dunbar's wife, Thelma, informed the Jamaican newspaper the Gleaner that she discovered him unresponsive on Monday morning. Medical professionals later confirmed his passing. Sources close to the musician revealed to the Guardian that he had been experiencing health issues for several months prior to his death.
Among the many paying homage was British dub and reggae DJ David Rodigan, who hailed Dunbar as a "true icon" and "one of the greatest drummers of all time." Rodigan emphasised the drummer's prolific output, noting he played on "literally thousands and thousands of recordings" throughout his illustrious career.
A Career Spanning Decades and Genres
Born Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica, his musical journey began humbly, playing rhythms on his school desk and tin cans. As a teenager, he teamed up with bassist Robbie Shakespeare, who passed away in 2021, to form the rhythm section for the group the Revolutionaries, also known as the Aggrovators. This band became a cornerstone of Jamaican reggae in the 1970s, serving as a key backing band and releasing their own material.
Dunbar's distinctive "rockers" drum pattern, a shuffling, insistent beat, quickly became a hallmark of roots reggae. It was first prominently featured on Dave and Ansell Collins' "Double Barrel," which reached number one in the UK in 1971 and marked Dunbar's debut on a recorded song.
Collaborations with Music Legends
His work extended far beyond reggae, encompassing an astonishing array of artists from various genres. Key collaborations included:
- Playing on three iconic Grace Jones albums in the early 1980s: Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, and Living My Life.
- Contributing to four albums by French vocalist Serge Gainsbourg as he explored reggae influences.
- Recording two albums with Bob Dylan: Infidels and Empire Burlesque, with Dunbar later describing the Infidels session as "one of the coolest" he ever worked on.
- Backing artists like Ian Dury, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Cliff, and Gwen Guthrie.
- Maintaining a connection with the Rolling Stones, playing percussion on their album Undercover and drums for Mick Jagger's solo project She's the Boss.
Innovation and Later Success
In the late 1970s, Dunbar and Shakespeare founded their own label, Taxi Records, after a 1978 tour with the Rolling Stones inspired a harder, more energetic sound for acts like Black Uhuru. They pioneered a bright, melodic style of dancehall in the early 1990s with Chaka Demus & Pliers, scoring hits such as "Tease Me" and "Murder She Wrote."
Later career highlights included:
- Playing drums on the Fugees' acclaimed album The Score.
- Appearing on Simply Red's cover of "Night Nurse" and Suggs' version of "Cecilia."
- Producing two major hits for No Doubt: "Underneath it All" and "Hey Baby."
- Co-writing and playing on "Cheerleader," an international hit for singer Omi in 2014.
A Legacy of Accolades
Sly Dunbar's contributions to music were recognised with 13 Grammy nominations, resulting in two wins. His passing marks the end of an era for reggae and popular music, but his innovative rhythms and productions will continue to influence generations to come.
