Robbie Shakespeare dies: Legendary reggae bassist and stars Sly and Robbie dies aged 68

Musician Robbie Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the best bass players in the world, has died aged 68

Reggae legend Robbie Shakespeare has passed away.

His death at the age of 68 has been confirmed as Jamaica Gleaner today.

The publication said he had been living abroad after having kidney surgery at a Florida hospital.

The musician was once named the 17th greatest bassist of all time on the list compiled by Rolling Stone magazine.

Following the sad news of his death, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, the Minister of Culture and Recreation, told Jamaican Observer: “Robbie’s loss will be deeply felt by the industry at home and abroad. My deepest condolences to those he has left behind.”

Robbie is best known as one of the ‘Riddim twins’ in the Jamaican rhythm duo Sly & Robbie, he co-starred with drummer Sly Dunbar.

The pair collaborated in the mid-1970s after forming their own on the Jamaican music scene.

Sly was drumming for Skin Flesh and Bones, while Robbie was playing bass and guitar with Aggrovator when they discovered they had similar musical ideas.

They are all big fans of Motown and country music and draw on a variety of influences.

Sly once said, “My mentor is The Skatalites drummer, Lloyd Knibb. And I’ve heard a lot about Booker T. & the MG’s drummer, Al Jackson Jr., and Philadelphia’s.

“And there are other drummers in Jamaica, like Santa and Carly from The Wailers Band, Winston Bennett, Paul Douglas, Mikey Boo. I respect all these drummers and have learned a lot from them. From them , I listened and created my own style. They played some things I copied, others I reproduced.”

They had an illustrious career throughout the 1980s, working with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Grace Jones and Joe Cocker.

The sound of Sly & Robbie is credited for keeping the music world interested in Jamaican music after the death of renowned musician Bob Marley in 1981.