Reggae Legend Sly Dunbar Of Iconic Sly And Robbie Rhythm Section Dies At 73

The music world is mourning the loss of a foundational architect of modern sound as Lowell Fillmore Dunbar, known globally as Sly Dunbar, has passed away at the age of 73. As the drumming half of the world renowned rhythm section Sly and Robbie, Dunbar was a transformative figure whose influence stretched from the streets of Kingston to the top of the international pop charts. His death on January 26, 2026, marks the end of an era for Jamaican music and the global recording industry.

Reports from Kingston, Jamaica, confirm that Dunbar was found unresponsive at his home on the morning of January 26. His wife, Thelma Dunbar, discovered him at approximately 7:00 AM. While an official cause of death has not been released to the public, family members indicated that the musician had been battling declining health for several years. His passing comes four years after the death of his lifelong musical partner, bassist Robbie Shakespeare, who died in December 2021. Together, the pair was affectionately known as the Riddim Twins.

Sly Dunbar began his career in the late 1960s, quickly establishing himself as a premier session musician. He gained early fame with The Upsetters and The Aggrovators before forming a permanent bond with Robbie Shakespeare in the mid 1970s. Their partnership revolutionized the reggae genre through the introduction of the Rockers style, which utilized a more aggressive and driving drum beat than the previous One Drop style.

Throughout his career, Dunbar was credited with playing on or producing an estimated 200,000 tracks. His work with Black Uhuru led to the first ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording in 1985 for the album Anthem. Beyond the borders of Jamaica, Dunbar was a highly sought after collaborator for international superstars. He contributed his signature percussion to Bob Dylan’s Infidels album and played a crucial role in shaping the synth heavy reggae pop sound of Grace Jones on her landmark Nightclubbing record.

Dunbar was not merely a performer but a technical innovator who embraced the transition from acoustic drums to electronic pads and digital sequencing. This adaptability allowed Sly and Robbie to remain relevant through the dancehall explosion of the 1980s and 1990s. The duo produced massive hits such as Murder She Wrote by Chaka Demus and Pliers and worked with diverse artists ranging from No Doubt and Simply Red to Mick Jagger and Herbie Hancock.

Over five decades, Dunbar received 13 Grammy nominations and two wins. His contributions to the arts were recognized by the Jamaican government with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for his dedicated service to the music industry.

The passing of Sly Dunbar represents the loss of one of the most recorded drummers in the history of music. His partnership with Robbie Shakespeare created a blueprint for the modern rhythm section, blending traditional Caribbean sounds with cutting edge technology. From his early days at Channel One Studio to his global tours, Dunbar remained a pillar of rhythmic precision and creative evolution.