Reggae legend Sly Dunbar has died a the age of 73 his heartbroken wife confirmed after tragically saying she ‘knew he was sick…but I didn’t know he was this sick’
A Reggae legend has died after being found unresponsive at home on Monday, his wife has confirmed. Sly Dunbar’s death age 73 was also confirmed by the musician’s team .
The Jamaican drummer, whose real name was Lowell Fillmore Dunbar, co-founded production duo Sly and Robbie. He performed with a number of huge names in the business, including Bob Marley, Madonna and the Rolling Stones.
Speaking to told Jamaica’s Gleaner newspaper, wife Thelma said: “I went to wake him up and he wasn’t responding, I called the doctor and that was the news. Yesterday was such a good day for him.
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“He had friends come over to visit him and we all had such a good time. He ate well yesterday… sometimes he’s not into food. I knew he was sick… but I didn’t know that he was this sick.”
Following news of his death, fans shared tributes on social media. The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards was among them, sharing snaps of the pair and writing: “Farewell, Sly Dunbar! Rest in peace! Shine on Gal…1979 with Sly, Robbie and Mikey Chung!”
An account for the late Jamaican musician Peter Tosh, with whom he had previously toured, also wrote: “Rest in power, Sly Dunbar. From the very first sessions with Peter Tosh in 1976, Sly helped shape a sound that changed reggae forever.
“As one half of the Riddim Twins, his drumming carried the spirit, power, and freedom of Peter’s music, from Equal Rights to the global stage. His rhythm traveled far beyond Jamaica, influencing generations and helping bring reggae to the world while staying rooted in truth and groove. Fearless, inventive, and unmistakably his own, his playing left a permanent mark on music.”
The account continued: “Thank you, Sly, for the heartbeat you gave to the music and the legacy you leave behind. Your rhythm lives on.”
Hit tunes of Reggae icon Bob Marley that Sly featured on included Punky Reggae Party. He also featured on Dave and Ansell Collins’ tune Double Barrell.
Born in Kingston, Sly said his inspiration in the industry first came from Lloyd Knibbs and the Skatalite. Speaking in 1997 about watching them on television, Sly said:”I saw [Knibbs] playing and I thought, ‘I want to be a drummer’ because he’s the hardest worker in the band.
“He’s my idol! In some ways, I’m self-taught but I got a lot of help from other drummers by watching them play.”
He became known for his shuffling “rockers” drum pattern and found himself working with many of the Reggae genre’s big hitters. He founded Taxi Records in 1980 bassist Robbie Shakespeare. The pair went on to help artists such as Shaggy, Shabba Ranks and Beenie Man refine their art.
They later worked with huge rock and pop stars including Bob Dylan and Sinead O’Connor. The duo also shared music with Joe Cocker and Marianne Faithfull.
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