Robert "Robbie" Shakespeare — the Jamaican bass guitarist and record producer known best as one half of prolific duo Sly and Robbie — has died. Multiple outlets confirmed Shakespeare's passing today, reporting that he was hospitalized in Florida following kidney surgery. He was 68.
Further confirmation came from Olivia Grange, Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, who wrote in a statement, "I am in shock and sorrow after just receiving the news that my friend and brother, the legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare has died."
"Robbie and Sly Dunbar (the drummer) as Sly and Robbie, have been among Jamaica's greatest musicians," Grange continued. "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 artistes locally and internationally. Robbie's loss will be felt by the industry at home and abroad. He will be sorely missed. I offer my deepest condolences to those he leaves behind."
Widely regarded as one of reggae's most influential bassists, Shakespeare formed Sly and Robbie with drummer Sly Dunbar in the mid-'70s following time in session groups like the Revolutionaries and the Aggrovators.
With Sly and Robbie, Shakespeare lent his low-end to the music of U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Augustus Pablo, Yellowman, Black Uhuru and more. The duo would also go on to work outside of reggae with the likes of Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Serge Gainsbourg, Sinéad O'Connor, Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono, Herbie Hancock, No Doubt, Amp Fiddler and many others.
Further confirmation came from Olivia Grange, Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, who wrote in a statement, "I am in shock and sorrow after just receiving the news that my friend and brother, the legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare has died."
"Robbie and Sly Dunbar (the drummer) as Sly and Robbie, have been among Jamaica's greatest musicians," Grange continued. "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 artistes locally and internationally. Robbie's loss will be felt by the industry at home and abroad. He will be sorely missed. I offer my deepest condolences to those he leaves behind."
Widely regarded as one of reggae's most influential bassists, Shakespeare formed Sly and Robbie with drummer Sly Dunbar in the mid-'70s following time in session groups like the Revolutionaries and the Aggrovators.
With Sly and Robbie, Shakespeare lent his low-end to the music of U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Augustus Pablo, Yellowman, Black Uhuru and more. The duo would also go on to work outside of reggae with the likes of Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Serge Gainsbourg, Sinéad O'Connor, Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono, Herbie Hancock, No Doubt, Amp Fiddler and many others.
