Reggae Legend Mikey Dread Being Treated For Brain Tumour

Revolutionary radio dj, musician and champion of reggae music Mikey Dread has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and is undergoing chemotherapy. Probably most famous for his late-night radio show on now defunct JBC Radio in Jamaica, Dread is 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. If it weren't for The Dread At The Control, it's very possible that reggae music would've never found much support or distribution, locally and abroad, and thus might have never achieved worldwide recognition. 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 were being imported and many musicians were covering hits from 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 his was the equivalent of MOG in how it would expose otherwise unknown music and musicians and give voice to the community of listeners and a space to interact). The music was so moving and so relevant to the people of the island that it's no surprise that those artists became more in-demand and the songs more sought-after. Up until then, the radio stations, media and government of Jamaica shunned reggae music. It was considered low-class and disruptive. 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.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 had a full and productive life that has touched millions of people. Meanwhile he has the blessings and prayers of many of those millions in hopes that he comes back with a clean bill of health. 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.Jamaica ObserverMikey Dread - "Natural Roots" Live in the early days:Mikey Dread - "Dread At The Controls" at Studio 7 in Seattle 2007: