Reggae legend, bassist and producer Robbie Shakespeare, one half of iconic rhythm section Sly & Robbie, has died at age 68. Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner confirmed the news with a close friend of Shakespeare’s, who said he had been ill for some time, and had undergone surgery in Florida related to his kidneys.
One of the greatest bassists ever, Shakespeare has worked, alongside Sly Dunbar, with just about everyone in reggae, including U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Ini Kamoze, Augustus Pablo, Yellowman and Black Uhuru, but also pop and rock artists like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Serge Gainsbourg, Yoko Ono, Grace Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Sting, Sinead O’Connor, and more. His contribution to pop music cannot be overstated.
Rest in peace, Robbie.
Listen to some Sly & Robbie classics, and read social media tributes, below.
RIP Robbie Shakespeare. This man’s work as part of the legendary production duo Sly & Robbie and for many others will never ever be forgotten. Gutted. Fly high Basspeare! pic.twitter.com/hRSdSUq09i
— Ghostpoet (@ghostpoet) December 8, 2021
The bass is everything in Reggae music and Robbie Shakespeare played his bass guitar like nobody else; he made the beat drop, speaker boxes shook and we rocked.His passing is a tragic loss; his contribution to the genre is immeasurable. RIP Robbie Shakespeare. pic.twitter.com/3JMMtbUrm1
— David Rodigan (@DavidRodigan) December 8, 2021
Man, Sly & Robbie made the world a better place…Rest Easy ❤️💚💛 #RIPRobbieShakespeare
— Mark McGrath (@mark_mcgrath) December 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/trevorjofficial/status/1468691506815016960
RIP Robbie Shakespeare pic.twitter.com/sbzwt5CGHa
— Contraflow (@contra_flow) December 8, 2021