Robbie Shakespeare, who was part of the acclaimed duo Sly and Robbie with Sly Dunbar, has died at age 68. Image via Twitter @DavidRodigan
Robbie Shakespeare, who was part of the acclaimed duo Sly and Robbie with Sly Dunbar, has died at age 68. Image via Twitter @DavidRodigan
Jamaican bass guitarist Robbie Shakespeare, who formed reggae duo Sly and Robbie with drummer Sly Dunbar, has died at the age of 68, the Jamaican minister of culture has announced.
“I am in shock and sorrow after just receiving the news that my friend and brother, the legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare has died,” Olivia Grange said in a press release on Wednesday 8 December.
“Sly and Robbie have been among Jamaica’s greatest musicians.”
Robbie Shakespeare passes away
According to Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner, Shakespeare died in Florida, where he had been hospitalised for kidney problems.
BBC Radio 1Xtra reggae music presenter David Rodigan said Shakespeare “played his bass guitar like nobody else”.
Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar
Born 27 September 1953 in Kingston, the Grammy award-winning bassist started playing with Aston “Family Man” Barrett, one of the future members of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
In 1973 he met Dunbar and they later founded one of the most famous duos in reggae music, going on to become successful producers.
Jamaican greats
The pair collaborated with Jamaican reggae greats like Black Uhuru, the co-founder of the Wailers Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Bunny Wailer, U-Roy, who died in February, and Lee “Scratch” Perry, who died in August.
ALSO READ: ‘Salvador Dali of music’: Reggae and dub wizard Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry dies
International fame for Robbie and Sly
By the start of the 80s, Sly and Robbie went international, playing with artists including Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, Madonna and the Rolling Stones.
In 1984, Black Uhuru’s album Anthem, which Shakespeare produced, won the first Grammy award for reggae music.
Sly and Robbie also triumphed at the Grammys with their 1998 album, Friends.
Robbie Shakespeare one of the ‘best bassists in history’
Last year, Rolling Stones magazine ranked him 17th on the list of best bassists in history.
“This fantastic team took bass playing and drumming to the highest level as they made music for themselves as a group, and for many other artists locally and internationally,” Grange said.
“Robbie’s loss will be felt by the industry at home and abroad.”
— By © Agence France-Presse
Tags:
