Jamaica’s Most Innovative & Original Reggae Artist & Producer

close
radio_button_unchecked
change_history

Throughout his career,
Mikey Dread was
committed to social justice
and was an outspoken
ambassador for
the Rastafarian movement.

close
radio_button_unchecked
change_history close
radio_button_unchecked
change_history Mikey Dread continued to
perform & produce music
until his death in 2008.

He left behind a legacy as a talented and influential figure in the
world of
Reggae Music.

close
radio_button_unchecked
change_history 0{{current_slide_index}} change_history change_history /0{{total_slide_count}}

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

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 aboard and helped to promote the emerging Reggae sound. 2021 1980 1980 Mikey Dread's collaborations with The Clash on "Sandinista!" helped to cement his status as a key figure in the development of Reggae music and his influence on the Punk and Rock movements. This helped to break down barriers between genres and create a more diverse and inclusive music scene.
 1979 1982 1982 Mikey Dread's expertise and narration skills were used for the historically acclaimed 6-part series on Jamaican music - “Deep Roots Music.” 1980 1982 1983 UB40, another major international act, were heavily influenced by the sound of Jamaican dub and were drawn to Mikey Dread's innovative production techniques. He worked with them in the studio as well as on stage. 1982 1984 1983 'Rockers Roadshow' was an original 10-part TV series that showcased musically talented youth across the UK. The series aired on Central TV in 1983. The concept for the series and the soundtracks were produced by reggae legend Mikey Dread, who also presented the entire series in his own Jamaican Rasta style.
 1982 1992 1992 In 1992, Mikey Dread appeared with Izzy Stradlin - the rhythm guitarist of Guns N' Roses - in a duet entilted "Can't Hear 'Em." Other projects during this period include producing "Pressure Drop" on the album Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds. 1984 2004 2004 In 2004, Mikey Dread appeared as featured artist with Seal on the Echo & Bunnymen hit song “Lips like Sugar.” The cover was featured in the movie "50 First Dates.” A romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. 1992 1979

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.

—

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:

Contact the Authors

© 2023 Dread at the Controls

Contact

Social Media

    Tune in for new releases, tour dates, and life behind the controls.