Legendary Jamaican reggae drummer Lowell Fillmore “Sly” Dunbar passed away this monday 26 from January to 73 year old, according to the island's media.
According to the first information, The death occurred suddenly in the musician's home, as confirmed by the musician's wife, Thelma Dunbar.
“At about 7 In the morning I went to wake him up and he didn't respond.. “I called the doctor and that was the news.”, the widow told the newspaper Jamaica Gleaner between tears.
The drummer had been ill for more than a decade, affected by chronic problems in his legs and complications derived from a herniated disc, for which he was being treated by doctors from his country and abroad.
“Yesterday was a great day., Some friends came to visit and we had a wonderful time. ate very well, sometimes I had no appetite. I knew he was sick, but not that sick", Thelma added to the aforementioned media.
His musical career
Lowell Fillmore Dunbar was born 10 May 1952 and next to the bassist Robbie Shakespeare (died in December 2021), They formed the successful duo “Sly & Robbie”, one of the most influential rhythm sections in the history of Jamaican music, in addition to producing countless reggae hits.
Dunbar, whose first recording appearance was on the album Double Barrel of Dave y Ansell Collins, started playing drums at 15 years with The Yardbrooms, later joined the band Skin, Flesh & Bones directed by Ansell Collins.
Later, in 1972, He met Shakespeare who was then part of the Hippy Boys and the chemistry was immediate.. A) Yes, he recommended it to the producer Bunny Lee as a possible session drummer for The Aggrovators.
After that, The two decided to continue acting together and in 1976 They were part of the band Word, Sound and Power, group that accompanied Peter Tosh after the singer left The Wailers, with whom they recorded five albums.
Taxi Records
In 1980 Sly and Robbie formed the label Taxi Records, with which they made releases with many internationally successful artists, included Black Uhuru, A year Demus, This is Kamoze, Beenie Man Y Red Dragon, among others.
Together they played with all the greats of the genre such as Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, Jacob Miller, among many others.
Sly's credits in music are long-standing and very relevant, both in your country, as internationally. Since “Police and Thieves” de Junior Marvin, “Punky Reggae Party” Bob Marley & The Wailers to the albums Infields Y Empire Burlesque of Bob Dylan, Sly played it all and did it well.
His contributions with other artists
Other notable contributions by Sly & Robbie were on all three albums Grace Jones, as well as work with Herbie Hancock, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones and two notable reggae albums with French Serge Gainsbourg, unknown to today's public:To Arms et cetera Y Bad news from the stars.
He collected numerous awards during his career., He was recognized with the Distinction of the Order of the Government of Jamaica; He was also awarded the Musgrave Gold Medal of the Institute of Jamaica in 2015 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota in May 2025.
Dunbar's work was widely recognized in the industry, as was nominated 13 Grammy times and won two awards: Best Reggae Recording in 1985 “Echoes of Sound Systems – When the Two 7’s Clash” is presented as the Sound Clash to end all the sound clashes that will compete for the first major Black Uhuru’s Anthem and Best Reggae Album in 1999 “Echoes of Sound Systems – When the Two 7’s Clash” is presented as the Sound Clash to end all the sound clashes that will compete for the first major Friends, a sly project & Robbie.
Without a doubt a transcendental loss for reggae music and the music industry globally..
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