RIP Mikey Dread

Jamaican radio DJ, Michael "Mikey Dread" Campbell has succumbed to a brain tumor.

Campbell, 54, who rose to fame as "The Dread At The Control" at the now defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, passed away at approximately 6:50 p.m. EDST on Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at his home in Connecticut.

He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2007.

Campbell was perhaps one of the most influential performers and innovators in reggae music. His production expertise helped launched the career of many artists, from Earl 16, Edi Fitzroy, Rod Taylor, Sugar Minott, Junior Murvin and the Roots Radics Band to the Clash, Japanese rock band Anarchy, and Izzy Stradlin (ex Guns N` Roses).

In the 1990s he produced a few songs for Izzy Stradlin and The Ju Ju Hounds, the first album from Guns N` Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin. His 1990 Warner Brothers release "The Source of your Divorce" video was play listed on both MTV and BET television, produced by KRS One and Sydney Mills. The video was produced by Tim Kelly from Hollywood, the famous Gene Kelly`s son.

In addition to his work with The Clash, he recorded with UB40 and helped produce the well-received "Deep Roots Music" documentary on Jamaican music for Channel Four TV in the United Kingdom. Campbell also collaborated with Seal on a song titled "Lips like Sugar" for the soundtrack of the Adam Sandler/ Drew Barrymore movie 50 First Dates.

SOURCE: Carib World News