January 27, (THEWILL) — Jamaican drummer and producer, Sly Dunbar, whose work helped define reggae music and influenced artistes around the world, has died at the age of 73.
His wife, Thelma Dunbar, confirmed that he was found unresponsive at his home on the morning of Monday, January 26, 2026. He had been unwell for some time, though an official cause of death has not been released.
Born Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica, in May 1952, Dunbar began playing drums as a teenager and soon became one of reggae’s most respected musicians.
His first recorded performance was on “Double Barrel” by Dave and Ansel Collins, which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.
Dunbar was best known as one half of the legendary duo, Sly & Robbie, alongside bassist, Robbie Shakespeare, who died in 2021. Together, they became one of the most sought-after session teams in music, working with reggae stars, including Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, and Gregory Isaacs.
Their influence extended beyond reggae. They played on several albums by Grace Jones, including Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, and Living My Life, and also collaborated with artistes such as Bob Dylan, Serge Gainsbourg, and The Rolling Stones.
In 1980, Dunbar and Shakespeare co-founded Taxi Records, a label that helped develop and promote artistes, including Shaggy, Beenie Man, Skip Marley, and Red Dragon. Their production work also played a key role in the evolution of reggae into dancehall during the 1990s.
Over their career, Dunbar and Shakespeare received 13 Grammy nominations, winning twice—first for Anthem by Black Uhuru in 1985, and later for their own album, Friends, in 1999.
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. British DJ, David Rodigan, described Dunbar as “a true icon” and “one of the greatest drummers of all time”.
Sly Dunbar leaves behind a powerful legacy. His rhythms continue to shape reggae, dancehall, and popular music worldwide.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
