Jamaican drummer Sly Dunbar, renowned for his inventive reggae rhythms, died aged 73 after a long illness. The 73‑year‑old, born Lowell Dunbar in Kingston, became a cornerstone of reggae with bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Together they backed a wide range of artists, from Peter Tosh and Grace Jones to Black Uhuru, and crossed over into pop, working with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, the Fugees and others. Dunbar’s drumming was noted for its precision and its blend of funk, soul and disco elements, a style he developed after early influences such as the Skatalites and the American band Sly and the Family Stone. He began playing professionally at 13, joined the Yardbrooms, the Supersonics and the Volcanos, before forming the Revolutionaries at Channel One in 1976. The duo’s work helped shape the modern reggae beat and produced chart‑topper “Double Barrel” in 1971. He was described as a wiry, muscular man who kept garlic on hand to ward off colds while touring. His passing marks the loss of one of Jamaica’s most respected musicians.

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