Jamaica and the global music community are mourning the loss of Lowell Fillmore “Sly” Dunbar, the legendary drummer whose hands shaped the pulse of reggae for more than half a century. Dunbar, best known as one half of the iconic rhythm duo Sly & Robbie, passed away on 26 January 2026 at the age of 73 after a period of illness. His wife, Thelma, shared that she found him unresponsive early that morning, a moment that instantly sent shockwaves through the reggae world. His death marks the end of an era for a musician whose influence stretched far beyond the island’s shores, touching every corner of modern music.
Born in Kingston on 10 May 1952, Sly Dunbar was drawn to the drums from an early age. By fifteen he was already playing in bands, absorbing the evolving sounds of ska, rocksteady, and the emerging reggae movement. His early work with The Revolutionaries at Channel One Studios helped define the “rockers” style, a heavier, more driving drum-and-bass approach that would become a cornerstone of reggae’s evolution.
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Everything changed in 1972 when he met bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Their chemistry was immediate, their groove undeniable, and together they became Sly & Robbie the Riddim Twins, a duo whose impact would ripple across decades. Sly & Robbie were more than a rhythm section; they were architects of a global sound. Their fingerprints appear on thousands of recordings, backing and producing for artists such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Grace Jones, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Serge Gainsbourg.
Their work with Grace Jones on albums like Nightclubbing and Warm Leatherette remains some of the most innovative rhythm production ever recorded, blending reggae, rock, and electronic textures in ways that were far ahead of their time. With Black Uhuru, they helped deliver the Grammy-winning album Anthem, cementing their place in reggae history and pushing the genre into new international territory.
Sly Dunbar performing in later years, still powering the signature Sly & Robbie groove: Image Credit Martin Cohen
Beyond their musicianship, Sly & Robbie were visionary producers who shaped the sound of modern reggae and dancehall. Through their Taxi Records imprint, they championed new artists, experimented fearlessly with electronic elements, and kept Jamaican music evolving. Even in his later years, despite declining health, Sly remained connected to the Taxi creative circle. Producer Rory Baker described his passing as a “major, major blow,” noting that Sly had still been involved in ongoing projects and studio work, even if at a slower pace.
Though Sly had been ill for some time, the news of his death still landed with a heavy thud across the reggae community. Thelma’s quiet recounting of the morning she found him a simple moment that changed everything has left fans and fellow musicians shaken. It follows the earlier loss of Robbie Shakespeare in 2021 and, more recently, Cat Coore, deepening the sense that Jamaica is losing its musical giants faster than anyone can process.
Sly Dunbar leaves behind a legacy that is impossible to measure. His rhythms powered generations of hits, influenced countless drummers, and helped define the global identity of reggae. His sound travelled farther than he ever could, echoing through clubs, studios, festivals, and headphones around the world. Though the man is gone, the heartbeat he created will continue to resonate for decades to come, a permanent reminder of the genius who helped shape the soundtrack of Jamaica and the world.
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