Dread at the Controls

Jamaica’s Original Reggae Innovator, Artist & Producer

Mikey Dread

Mikey Dread 1954—2008

01 / 04

If you love Reggae — it’s partially his fault!
Mikey Dread has had his hands in nearly every multi-genre facet of the music industry and media. He’s been at it for over 30 years, and even co-produced, co-wrote and performed on The Clash’s Sandinista — 1981’s Best Rock Record. He’s since been producing, performing, presenting, and recording non-stop. He’s also won some awards, done voice-overs, news photography, video edited, radio DJ-ed, hosted a few TV and awards shows, and worked on Izzy Stradlin’s single “Can’t Hear ‘Em.” Then went to art school and graduated in 1996 with honors in music and video production. Well of course he did! Then came more of the same, including another honorable degree in International Communications four years later.
More headline tours, a couple of BBC documentaries and a single with Seal on the 50 First Dates sound-track.
Wow, is there anything this man can’t do?

By SAMANTHA CAMPOS — Maui Time Weekly — 01-04-2007

Dread SUPERHERO New Layer New Layer New Layer

Dread at the controls

1979

Mikey Dread began his career as a radio DJ on JBC Radio in Jamaica in the 1970s. His show, “Dread At The Controls,” was hugely popular and influential in Jamaica and abroad and helped to promote the emerging Reggae sound.

Official Biography

Love the Dread

Mikey Dread’s Official Biography

Coming
Soon
Mikey Dread archive photograph

Dread at the Controls — archive print

Mikey Dread portrait

The Story

This official biography book includes over 50 interviews, with over 270 pages of Jamaican and reggae history. It’s Mikey Dread’s story, in loving memory, as we continue to “Love the Dread.”

“Love The Dread” — an “Autobiography” book talking about Mikey’s “Childhood Days”, remembering his “Roots And Culture”, from beginning “Dread At The Controls”, to Clash’s “Bankrobber” days, “Deep Roots Music” time and “Rockers Roadshow” television work in the UK, DATC, On-U and UB40 projects, then moving to the USA continuing recordings, television and radio production, touring, then being back as the “Rasta In Control” promoting “Jah Jah Love” with reggae music.

How the Book Came Together

Click on photos below for more info →
2003

Case File

Trevor & Mikey

In 2003 Mikey Dread started working on his autobiography book together with his friend and writer Trevor Holland. With Mikey’s passing in March of 2008, the oral-biographical project was put on hold.

2015
Archive photograph from the Dread at the Controls collection

Case File

Archiving & More Archiving

Starting in 2015 Mikey’s “Dread at the Controls” archives were digitized and indexed, unearthing many additional interviews and historical photos and documents that are included in the book.

2019
Joris van Drunen Littel archive photograph

Case File

Joris van Drunen Littel

In 2019, Mikey’s wife Monika revived the project with the help of reggae archivist Joris van Drunen Littel. Additional interviews were conducted with artists and producers who worked with Mikey giving more insight into his life and work.

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Case File

Siblings: Mikey & Leon & Jean & Enid

Mikey, his wife Monika, his family, friends and fellow reggae musicians documented many moments in Mikey’s life.

Official Biography Michael “Mikey Dread” Campbell — Original “Dread at the Controls”
For more info about the book:

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