Lowell Fillmore “Sly” Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer and one-half of the iconic reggae rhythm duo Sly & Robbie, has died at the age of 73, his family confirmed on Monday. Dunbar passed away at his home in Kingston, with his wife, Thelma Dunbar, announcing the news to Jamaican media today.
Dunbar’s death marks the end of one of reggae’s most influential musical careers. Together with bassist Robbie Shakespeare — who died in 2021 — Dunbar formed the Riddim Twins, a rhythm section and production powerhouse that reshaped reggae, dancehall, and beyond for more than four decades.
A Rhythm That Reverberated Worldwide
Born on May 10, 1952, in Kingston, Dunbar began playing drums in his teens and quickly became known for his distinctive groove and versatility. With Shakespeare, he played on seminal reggae recordings with artists including Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, and Jimmy Cliff, helping to define the sound of roots reggae and later dancehall.
Their influence extended far beyond Jamaica: Sly & Robbie contributed to projects by global stars such as Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger, Serge Gainsbourg, and the Rolling Stones, bridging genres and continents with their rhythmic ingenuity.
The duo also co-founded Taxi Records in 1980, a label and production house that helped launch and nurture the careers of major reggae and dancehall artists, including Beenie Man, Shaggy, Skip Marley, and Chaka Demus & Pliers.
Accolades and Legacy
Dunbar’s contributions earned him and Shakespeare 13 Grammy nominations and two wins, including the inaugural Best Reggae Recording award in 1985 for Black Uhuru’s Anthem and Best Reggae Album in 1999 for Friends.
Colleagues and fans around the world have paid tribute to Dunbar’s impact on modern music. Producer Brian Eno once said that on most reggae records, “there’s a 90 percent chance the drummer is Sly Dunbar,” a testament to his ubiquitous influence.
In Jamaica’s parliament, cultural leaders described his passing as a profound loss to the nation’s creative heritage, noting that Dunbar helped project Jamaican music and artistry onto the world stage.
A Quiet Farewell, A Lasting Beat
His wife shared that Dunbar had been in declining health in recent years, though his passing still came as a shock to family, friends, and fans. No official cause of death has been released.
Lowell “Sly” Dunbar’s rhythms will continue to echo across countless recordings and inspire musicians for generations to come — a legacy befitting one of reggae’s true pioneers.
