Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Mikey Dread (1954-2008)

The reggae world is mourning the loss of Michael Campbell, a.k.a. Mikey Dread, who died Saturday at his sister’s home in Connecticut.

He was diagnosed last year with brain cancer.

Dread was a pioneering radio DJ in Jamaica during the 1970s, spinning late-night reggae music for the otherwise-stodgy Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation.

He went on to write, perform and produce his own songs... and to own his own record label, Dread at the Controls.

Rock ’n’ roll fans may know Mikey Dread as the producer of the Clash’s 1980 single “Bankrobber.” Click here to hear it streaming on my Vox blog.

I’m also streaming one of Dread’s own tracks, “Break Down the Walls” (1980). Click here to listen.

“Break Down the Walls” is available as a FREE MP3. Click the song title below to download it.

“Break Down the Walls” (MP3)
Album available at iTunes Music Store
Album available at eMusic
Album available at Amazon

4 comments:

Your driver said...

Thanks for this one. I heard something about Mikey Dread dying, but I was told that he was shot back in the '80's. Didn't know which rumor to believe. I will always love him for the 'World War III' LP. Especially 'Mental Slavery': "If love was something that money could buy/ The rich would live and the poor would die." Didn't realize until years later how well some of the Rastafarian brethren had learned their Fanon and Cesaire. They were able to take theory and turn it into art that anyone could understand. Genius.

bklyn6 said...

Two thoughts. 1) I've never heard of him; (but, I've been introduced to quite a bit of new music via your blog!) and 2) Didn't Bob Marley die from brain cancer?

iriegal said...

I grew up in Jamaica in the 70's an "Dread At Da Control" was the D.J. to listen to on the Jamaica Broadcasting System. His musical collaborations have paved the way for some wonderful sounds.

He will be missed. Much respect to a wonderful artist, singer and Dee Jay

Anonymous said...

Condolences to family and friends.RIP,Dread at the Controls!