Yesterday, the global music community lost yet another legend with the passing of Sly Dunbar – an outstanding drummer but also a member of the Sly and Robbie rhythm section and production duo, which he co-created with bassist Robbie Shakespeare (died in 2021).
Lower Fillmore Dunbar ws born in 1952 in Kingston, Jamaica. He started playing with bands at the age of 15, and made his debut as a session musician at 18, taking part in the recording of the album “Double Barrel” by Dave and Ansel Collins. Since then, he became a reggae legend on one of the most frequently recorded drummers in the history of the genre. As a drummer, co-producer, producer or publisher (through his Taxi Records label), he collaborated with such reggae stars as Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Black Uhuru, Chaka Demus and the Pliers, Ini Kamoze, Beenie Man, Red Dragon, Ziggy Marley, or Lee “Scratch” Perry. He also recorded and/or toured with some of the greatest music stars, including Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, Sinead O’Connor, Joan Armatrading, Simply Red, Yoko Ono, Grace Jones, Ian Dury, Bootsy Collins, or Gary Barlow.
Dunbar was a 13-time Grammy nominee, and a two-time Grammy winner (in1985 and 1999).
UB40: Very sad to hear that the legendary drummer and producer Sly Dunbar has passed away aged 73.
Best known as one half of the iconic drum and bass and production duo Sly and Robbie, they worked with many famous reggae artists and had their own successful label taxi records. Another reggae great gone. Our sympathies to his wife, friends and family, rest in peace Sly your music lives forever. Big Love UB40
UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell: Words cannot describe how heartbroken I am to hear of the passing of my friend and legend, Sly Dunbar. Working with Sly (and Robbie) on countless projects over the years, we have truly lost an originator all round wonderful soul only recently we were discussing new ideas which would have been phenomenal. Modern day beats simply wouldn’t be what they are without the influence of reggae and dancehall riddims that Sly singlehandedly pioneered. Walk good, Sly, Raise one with Robbie. You will be truly, truly missed. Big love, brother. Ali
Mick Hucknall (Simply Red): RIP Sly Dunbar; Jamaica’s greatest drummer. I liked him as a person and admired him enormously as a musician. I have so many of his recordings. It was an honour and a joy to work with him and Robbie Shakespeare. Sly and Robbie remain Jamaica’s greatest rhythm section.
Questlove: If there ever was a drummer who captured the spirit of the dancer and remained unsung, its Sly Dunbar -1/2 of THE STANDARD in drum & bass playing rhythm combos. I mean their work on all the “Compass Point” sessions w Grace Jones (“Pull Up to The Bumper” & “My Jamaican Guy” aka @llcoolj ‘s forever timeless “Doin It”) is enough but to show you how impactful they have been in your soundtrack – they created music that to this day work wonders even for the most amateurish DJ. “Pass The Koutchie” Mighty Diamonds (yes the PG Musical Youth version made that music an MTV staple in ’83). “Ink Kamoze” (“out in the street they call it MUUUUURDA!”). “Sponji Reggae” (aka “I Say Et Mon!” from the Cosby Show). “Night Nurse”! & don’t forget Gwen Guthrie’s Paradise Garage Classic “Padlock”. Of course, “Baltimore” (originally the Tamilins made famous by Nina Simone) & we all sang Foxy Brown’s “Sorry” to their “Taxi Riddem” (aka the dancehall “Baby Can I Hold You Tonight”) & the “Revolution” riddem (know as “Broader Than Broadway”) & the monster of them all, “Murder She Wrote” (“Bam Bam” riddem – the original & 80s track STILL hold power to this day). If Marley & associates were your introduction, Sly & Robbie was your education to why this music was hypnotic & timeless. He is now joining his partner Robbie in the next dimension. Rest In Riddem Bruddah!
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