Reggae legend Sly Dunbar, widely regarded as one of Jamaica's most influential drummers, has passed away at the age of 73. The news was confirmed by his wife, Thelma, who reported that he died in the morning after failing to respond when she woke him up.
Dunbar's illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he collaborated with numerous iconic reggae and dancehall artists, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, and Chaka Demus. He was also a key member of the production duo Sly & Robbie, alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare, who sadly passed away in 2021.
Together, Sly and Robbie are estimated to have played on over 200,000 recordings, including remixes and samples of their work. The pair's contribution to reggae's modern evolution is undeniable, with their innovative use of electronic instruments and syncopated rhythms helping to push the genre forward.
Dunbar's journey began at a young age, when he was just 15 years old and joined his first band. He went on to play on numerous albums with prominent artists, including Dave and Ansell Collins' "Double Barrel," which reached number one in the UK charts in 1969. Dunbar's collaboration with Peter Tosh led to the creation of some of reggae's most iconic tracks, including "Punky Reggae Party."
Dunbar's approach to drumming was characterized by his curiosity and desire for innovation. He once said, "When I see the red light, I go for it... I take chances and have a different thing." This willingness to experiment and push boundaries has been instrumental in shaping the sound of reggae and dancehall.
Throughout his career, Dunbar has worked with an impressive array of artists, including Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono, Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, Ian Dury, and Carly Simon. His work has also had a profound impact on the development of dancehall, with tracks like "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" showcasing his innovative production style.
Sly Dunbar's legacy as one of reggae's most influential drummers will be deeply missed by fans around the world. However, his music and creative spirit continue to inspire new generations of artists, ensuring that his impact on the genre will endure for years to come.
Dunbar's illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he collaborated with numerous iconic reggae and dancehall artists, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, and Chaka Demus. He was also a key member of the production duo Sly & Robbie, alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare, who sadly passed away in 2021.
Together, Sly and Robbie are estimated to have played on over 200,000 recordings, including remixes and samples of their work. The pair's contribution to reggae's modern evolution is undeniable, with their innovative use of electronic instruments and syncopated rhythms helping to push the genre forward.
Dunbar's journey began at a young age, when he was just 15 years old and joined his first band. He went on to play on numerous albums with prominent artists, including Dave and Ansell Collins' "Double Barrel," which reached number one in the UK charts in 1969. Dunbar's collaboration with Peter Tosh led to the creation of some of reggae's most iconic tracks, including "Punky Reggae Party."
Dunbar's approach to drumming was characterized by his curiosity and desire for innovation. He once said, "When I see the red light, I go for it... I take chances and have a different thing." This willingness to experiment and push boundaries has been instrumental in shaping the sound of reggae and dancehall.
Throughout his career, Dunbar has worked with an impressive array of artists, including Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono, Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, Ian Dury, and Carly Simon. His work has also had a profound impact on the development of dancehall, with tracks like "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" showcasing his innovative production style.
Sly Dunbar's legacy as one of reggae's most influential drummers will be deeply missed by fans around the world. However, his music and creative spirit continue to inspire new generations of artists, ensuring that his impact on the genre will endure for years to come.
they told me he was super funny n always up 4 a laugh lol he had this wicked habit of playing drums wiv his eyes closed lol i remember him telling me about how he used to play wiv his wife thelma 
she's now super upset but her son told me she's still smiling thru tears 
anyway dunbar was literally the king of reggae drums n u can't deny it 
just heard about Sly Dunbar passin away at 73 
can't believe he left us too soon 
his collabs w/ bob marley, peter tosh, & chaka demus are iconic 
i remember listening 2 "punky reggae party" 4 the first time & being blown away by how fresh it sounded 
he was def a drumming genius 
and it's crazy 2 think about all the artists he worked w/ from dave & ansell collins 2 yoko ono 
anyway, his legacy lives on thru his music & it'll continue 2 inspire new gen's of musicians 
With a career spanning over 50 years, he worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Bob Marley and Chaka Demus 
"When I see the red light, I go for it..." - his approach to drumming was all about taking chances and creating something new 
His legacy will be deeply missed, but his music will continue to inspire future generations of artists 
i'm so grateful for the music he left behind it's crazy to think about how much he contributed to reggae and dancehall his collaboration with bob marley is still giving me chills to this day and let's not forget all the other iconic tracks he worked on like "bam bam" and "murder she wrote"...anyway, i'm feeling a little nostalgic today so bear with me 
. His innovative production style and use of electronic instruments really helped shape the sound of reggae and dancehall. I love how he never played it safe and always went for it 
. That "Punky Reggae Party" song is still fire tho!