Mikey Dread Battles Brain Tumor

November 1st, 2007

Revolutionary radio dj, musician and champion of reggae music Mikey Dread was diagnosed with a brain tumour and is undergoing chemotherapy. Dread is legendary for his late-night radio show on now defunct JBC Radio in Jamaica and he has been a huge force in reggae music history and Jamaican music culture. Last year he celebrated his 30th year as The Dread At The Control, dubbed so for his radio show that championed local ska, rock-steady and dub music at a time when the airwaves were dominated by american motown, RnB and pop music. His broadcast showcased new music by local artists, which led to growing respect and recognition for the music and the studios creating it.

Dread At The Control

A radio show like Dread’s was the equivalent of an mp3 blog: both expose listeners to new music while providing a space to interact and a platform for the voices of the community.

If it weren’t for The Dread At The Control, reggae music might never have found the support and distribution that it enjoys today. When Mikey Dread first aired, reggae music was considered low-class and disruptive. Jamaica’s radio stations, media and government shunned it. Mikey Dread raised awareness of the sounds of Jamaica from ska to rock-steady to dub. His love of the local music scene inspired a significant shift: from importing music from America to growing it locally. When he first beamed across the late-night airwaves in Jamaica, most records on the island were being imported and many musicians were covering hits by American bands. Thanks to The Dread At The Control Tower, the sounds of the island were given a platform from which to be heard and discussed. Before the internet, a radio show like this was the equivalent of an mp3 blog: both expose listeners to new music while providing a space to interact and a platform for the voices of the community.

Mikey Dread – “Natural Roots” Live in the early days:

Reggae Takes Root Worldwide

The music was so moving and so relevant to the people of the island that local artists became more in-demand and their songs more sought-after. Mikey Dread and his radio show proved the music to be popular and some people started to see dollar signs. Investors started to recognize that there was a goldmine here, waiting to be harvested if given the right support. And the rest is history. Mikey Dread went on to record numerous albums of his own music and toured extensively around the world.

Big Up Mikey Dread! Respect!

A brain tumour sounds pretty horrific. I hope he pulls through with strength and vitality. No matter what happens, Mikey Dread – aka Michael Campbell – has led a full and productive life and touched millions of people. He and his wife just gave birth to a son on October 12, 2007 and his father turns 101 this year, so Mikey Dread has a lot more living to do.