Robert Warren Dale Shakespeare[1] (27 September 1953 – 8 December 2021) was a Jamaican bass guitarist and record producer, best known as half of the reggaerhythm section and production duo Sly and Robbie, with drummer Sly Dunbar. Regarded as one of the most influential reggae bassists,[2] Shakespeare was also known for his creative use of electronics and production effects units.[3] He was sometimes nicknamed "Basspeare".[4]
Shakespeare grew up in East Kingston, Jamaica. He had a musical family, such that "his family home was a rehearsal and hangout spot for a variety of upcoming musicians and singers."[8] His brother Lloyd had a band called the Emotions which rehearsed in the house. Shakespeare's first instrument was an acoustic guitar that was always present in the home. Later, the bass player Aston "Family Man" Barrett came into his yard, as it was near a popular location for selling marijuana.[8] Shakespeare had been trying acoustic guitar and drums, but when he heard Family Man's bass playing, he was attracted to the deep bass sound. Shakespeare recalled saying "I wan fi learn how to play this thing [bass]. You haffi teach me",[8] and Barrett agreed to give Shakespeare bass lessons.
Shakespeare first went in a music studio when he helped carry Family Man's brother Carlton Barrett's drums into the studio and help set up the drums. This developed into sneaking into the studio and waiting outside as bands recorded.[8] Whenever Family Man recorded, Shakespeare would try to both listen to the session and watch the bass player's hands; afterwards at Shakespeare's family house,[8] the bassist would show Shakespeare in person the basslines that had been recorded.
Shakespeare continued to study electric bass with Aston Barrett, the bass player from the Upsetters.[9] He collaborated with the drummer Sly Dunbar for the first time when they played in the Channel One Studio house band, which was called the Revolutionaries.[10] After Barrett joined the Wailers, Shakespeare took over the bass role in Barrett's former group, Hippy Boys. In 1979, Shakespeare and Dunbar started an independent music production company and record label called Taxi Records.[10]
Robbie Shakespeare in 1978
Death
Shakespeare died following kidney surgery in Florida, on 8 December 2021, at the age of 68.[11][12]
Reports state that the musician had been suffering from kidney related issues, including a rejected organ, and was on dialysis.[13]
Shakespeare appeared in the 2011 documentary Reggae Got Soul: The Story of Toots and the Maytals which was featured on BBC and described as "The untold story of one of the most influential artists ever to come out of Jamaica" (see Toots and the Maytals).[19][20] Both Robbie and Sly were featured in the recording sessions of the album Hurricane by Grace Jones, in the documentary Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, by Sophie Fiennes, about the model/singer Grace Jones.
^The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll. Third Edition. Edited by Holly George-Warren and Patricia Romanowski. Fireside, a Rolling Stone Press Book. London. 2001
