Mikey Dread & Lee Perry - Dread At The Controls (audio 1976)

Songs: Mikey Dread – Dread At The Controls / Lee Perry: Big Neck Policeman
Lee "Scratch" Perry was a Jamaican music legend—a producer, singer, and sonic innovator who helped shape the sound of reggae and dub music from the 1960s onward.
Born Rainford Hugh Perry in 1936 in Kendal, Jamaica, he earned the nickname "Scratch" for his eccentric style and experimental sound. He was known for his wildly creative production techniques, like burying microphones under palm trees, blowing smoke into them, and using household items like glass and toilet rolls as percussion. In 1973, he built his own studio, The Black Ark, in his backyard in Kingston. It became the birthplace of some of reggae’s most iconic records.
Perry worked with artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, Max Romeo, and even The Beastie Boys and Keith Richards. He pioneered dub music, remixing tracks with heavy bass, reverb, and delay effects that influenced genres far beyond reggae.
Perry was deeply spiritual and embraced mysticism, often blending it into his music and personal style. He was known for his flamboyant outfits and philosophical musings, sometimes bordering on the surreal.
He won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2002 for Jamaican E.T. and was honored with Jamaica’s Order of Distinction. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that’s still echoing through speakers worldwide.

Mikey Dread was a pioneering Jamaican reggae singer, producer, and broadcaster known for blending reggae with punk and revolutionizing radio in Jamaica.
Born Michael George Campbell on June 4, 1954, in Port Antonio, Jamaica, Mikey Dread was a trailblazer in reggae music and broadcasting. He began his career as an engineer at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), where he launched the influential radio show Dread at the Controls. This program broke away from the station’s pop-heavy playlists and spotlighted authentic Jamaican reggae, quickly becoming the most popular show in the country.
Mikey Dread’s music was characterized by deep dub rhythms, socially conscious lyrics, and innovative production techniques. His first hit single, “Barber Saloon” (1979), topped Jamaican radio charts and led to acclaimed albums like Dread at the Controls and African Anthem.
He famously worked with British punk band The Clash, producing their single “Bankrobber” and contributing vocals to their album Sandinista!.
Mikey Dread produced music for reggae legends like Sugar Minott, Junior Murvin, and Edi Fitzroy, and collaborated with bands like UB40 and Seal.
He was also a television presenter and documentary narrator, hosting shows like Rockers Roadshow and Deep Roots Music in the UK, which explored Jamaican music and culture.
He studied broadcasting in London and continued to work in radio and TV after moving to the U.S.
Mikey Dread passed away on March 15, 2008, in Stamford, Connecticut, at age 53. His influence on reggae and its crossover into punk and rock remains profound. His archives and biography project, Love the Dread, continue to preserve his legacy.