Sly Dunbar has died at the age of 73.Image: imago
Jan 27, 2026, 12:51 p.mJan 27, 2026, 12:51 p.m
The Jamaican musician and two-time Grammy winner Sly Dunbar is dead. The drummer of the legendary reggae duo Sly & Robbie died at the age of 73 at home in the capital Kingston.
This was announced by the Ministry of Culture of Jamaica. Dunbar was a “truly gifted and remarkable musician” and “one of the greatest drummers of all.”said Minister Olivia Grange. His death is a great loss for music.
Dunbar’s long-time wife Thelma confirmed her husband’s unexpected death to the Jamaica Gleaner on Monday. “Around 7 a.m. I went to wake him up and he wasn’t responding, I called the doctor – and that was the news,” she told the newspaper through tears. “I knew he was sick… But I didn’t know he was that sick.”
Family honors exceptional talent
As one half of Sly & Robbie, Dunbar has the sound of reggae and Jamaican music shaped for generationssaid the family in a statement that was available to the TMZ portal.
“His exceptional talent, innovation and contributions will never be forgotten.”
In a duo with Robbie Shakespeare, who died in 2021, and as co-founder of the Taxi label, Dunbar has co-produced some of the Caribbean country’s best musical workssaid Jamaica’s Minister of Culture. Sly & Robbie were not only in demand by other artists on the island, but also had an impact with many international greats as support, including Bob Dylan and bands like No Doubt, the Rolling Stones and the Fugees.
How lastingly Dunbar shaped the reggae scene can only be seen in the Read 13 Grammy nominations from 1981 to 2013. He won the trophy for collaborative projects with Shakespeare twice – in 1985 and 1999. (rbu/sda/dpa)