Reggae Icon Sly Dunbar, Legendary Drummer of Sly & Robbie, Dead at 73
Written by b87fm on 01/26/2026
Sly Dunbar, one-half of the iconic reggae duo Sly & Robbie and one of the most influential drummers in the history of Jamaican music, has died. He was 73.
Dunbar’s wife, Thelma Dunbar, confirmed his passing to The Jamaican Gleaner, saying he became unresponsive early in the morning.
“About 7 o’clock this morning I went to wake him up and he wasn’t responding. I called the doctor, and that was the news,” she said. “Yesterday was such a good day for him. He had friends over to visit, 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 realize it was this serious.”
The drummer and co-founder of Taxi Records had reportedly been dealing with ongoing health issues and had received treatment both in Jamaica and abroad.
Dunbar began his music career at just 15 years old, first performing with The Yardbrooms before moving on to bands such as Skin, Flesh and Bones. Influenced by legendary drummer Al Jackson Jr. of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Dunbar developed a signature style that would go on to reshape reggae and influence generations of musicians.
In 1972, Dunbar formed a creative partnership with bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Together, they became Sly & Robbie, one of the most celebrated rhythm sections in music history, occasionally collaborating with fellow reggae legend Peter Tosh.
Their impact on the genre was immense. Sly & Robbie earned 13 Grammy nominations and won two Grammy Awards, including Best Reggae Recording in 1985 for Black Uhuru’s Anthem and Best Reggae Album in 1999 for Friends. Through their Taxi Records imprint, they helped shape the careers of major artists such as Black Uhuru, Ini Kamoze, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Red Dragon, and Beenie Man.
Beyond reggae and dancehall, the duo’s influence reached across genres. They played on recordings by global music icons including Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, Herbie Hancock, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, and the Rolling Stones.
Robbie Shakespeare passed away in 2021 at the age of 68. With Sly Dunbar’s death, reggae loses one of its most vital architects — a musician whose rhythms helped define the sound of an era and whose legacy will continue to echo across generations.
