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Sly Dunbar, Reggae Drumming Icon, Dies at 73
Sly Dunbar, teh celebrated Jamaican drummer who helped define the sound of reggae and influenced countless musicians across genres, has died, his wife, thelma Dunbar, announced on January 26, 2026. He was 73 years old.According to The Jamaica Gleaner, Dunbar passed away after a period of illness. Thelma did not disclose the specific cause of death.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Born Slyvester Dunbar on May 10, 1952, in Kingston, Jamaica, Dunbar began his musical journey at a young age.He first gained recognition for his work on Dave and Ansell Collins’ 1971 hit, “double Barrel,” which topped the UK singles chart. He and bassist Robbie Shakespeare initially collaborated in the band The Revolutionaries, the resident ensemble at Kingston’s Channel One Studios. This partnership quickly established them as the most in-demand rhythm section in Jamaica.
Dunbar and Shakespeare’s distinctive sound graced numerous classic reggae albums, including Peter Tosh’s Legalize It, the Mighty Diamonds’ Right Time, and Black Uhuru’s