Sly Dunbar, Reggae Legend, Dies at 73.
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Sly Dunbar, the prolific Jamaican drummer and half of the iconic production duo Sly & Robbie, has passed away at 73. With a career spanning over five decades, Dunbar played on an estimated 200,000 recordings worldwide. His wife, Thelma, reported finding him unresponsive on January 20, 2026.
Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare formed the Revolutionaries, a rhythm section that revolutionized reggae music with their unique “rockers” rhythm. They worked with legendary artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Gregory Isaacs, and later with international stars like Madonna, Mick Jagger, and Sting.
The duo’s production company was born out of hardship, with stories of living on bread and water to save money. Their creative partnership remains one of the most in-demand in reggae history. Sly & Robbie’s influence on reggae music will be remembered for generations to come.
