Sly Dunbar, legendary reggae drummer who anchored tracks from Bob Marley to Bob Dylan, dies as 73

Legendary Reggae Drummer Sly Dunbar Dies at 73, Leaving Indelible Mark on Global Music

Two-time Grammy Award-winning reggae drummer Sly Dunbar, whose distinctive rhythms powered iconic tracks from Bob Marley to Bob Dylan, has died at age 73, according to his wife Thelma who confirmed the news to the Jamaica Gleaner.

Dunbar formed one-half of the revolutionary rhythm section Sly & Robbie alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare, who preceded him in death in 2021. Known throughout the industry as “The Riddim Twins,” the duo’s impact extended far beyond Jamaica’s shores, influencing generations of musicians across multiple genres.

Their collaborative magic provided the backbone for reggae classics by Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, and Peter Tosh, while also attracting high-profile artists from the mainstream music world. The pair contributed to three albums by Grace Jones during her career-defining imperial phase – “Warm Leatherette,” “Nightclubbing” and “Living My Life” – helping craft her distinctive sound that blended reggae, new wave, and disco elements.

The duo’s versatility extended to work with French icon Serge Gainsbourg on four albums and an unexpected but fruitful collaboration with Bob Dylan on three records: “Infidels” (1983), “Empire Burlesque” (1985), and “Down in the Groove” (1988).

Ali Campbell of British reggae band UB40 expressed his grief on Facebook, writing: “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 acknowledged the duo’s mastery, noting that “Sly & Robbie were undisputed masters of the art, bringing a nuanced, unhurried and rock-solid rhythmic approach” to everything they touched.

Dunbar’s career began to flourish when he joined The Revolutionaries, the house band for Jamaica’s influential Channel One studio. While maintaining this studio work, he also toured extensively, leaving his rhythmic imprint on seminal recordings including Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves,” Maxi Priest’s “Easy to Love,” Dave and Ansell Collins’ breakout hit “Double Barrel,” and Bob Marley’s “Punky Reggae Party.”

His influence on the recording industry earned him 13 Grammy nominations throughout his career. He won the prestigious award twice – first in 1985 when Black Uhuru’s “Anthem” secured the inaugural Grammy for Best Reggae Recording, and again in 1999 when Sly & Robbie’s “Friends” was named Best Reggae Album.

Beyond performing and recording, Dunbar demonstrated his business acumen when he and Shakespeare co-founded Taxi Records in 1980. The label became an incubator for reggae talent, helping launch and develop the careers of artists including Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, Skip Marley, Beenie Man, and Red Dragon.

Renowned producer Brian Eno perhaps best captured Dunbar’s ubiquitous influence when he told attendees at the New Music New York festival in 1979: “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.”

Dunbar’s legacy extends beyond reggae, as his innovative approach to rhythm helped shape the evolution of dancehall, hip-hop, electronic music, and various fusion genres. His distinctive style – characterized by precise timing, creative use of electronic drums, and an intuitive feel for what each song required – made him one of the most recorded drummers in history.

Music historians consider Sly & Robbie among the most influential rhythm sections of all time, alongside legendary pairings like James Jamerson and Benny Benjamin from Motown’s Funk Brothers and James Brown’s dynamic duo of Bootsy Collins and Clyde Stubblefield.