During the 1970s, Tubby’s work in the studio gave rise to modern dub music. He had a long string of hit songs, and worked as a producer for some of Jamaica’s most popular artists, including Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, Augustus Pablo and Yabby You. In 1973, he began recording vocals to put along the instrumentals. By the later part of the decade though, King Tubby had mostly retired from music, still occasionally recording remixes and tutoring a new generation of artists, including King Jammy and Scientist.
In the 1980s, he focused on production for Anthony Red Rose, Sugar Minott and other popular musicians, for his Firehouse group of labels. He was shot and killed by unknown persons, probably in a robbery attempt, in 1989, February 06th.