WE Invite YOU and All to our Electronic Nine Night Celebration in Honor of the Dread At The Control - Michael "Mikey Dread" Campbell; who left us on

March 15, 2008

Please Click Here to Listen to the MIkey Dread Electronic Nine (9) Nite Invite

What is a Nine Night ?

Well that's simple - it's a celebration in honor of the dearly departed. it's called a wake in europe and america; in the caribbean - we call it a Nine Night. With our special relationship with Mikey, we had to do something in keeping with his legacy and his love - Music. Yes, the first ever Electronic Nine Night - For Mikey Dread.

You can participate, by placing this button on your website, and by blogging; Playing some Mikey Dread Music - or just sharing Mikeys Ital Roots and Culture Message with another one. Say a Prayer for Mikey's Peaceful transition to his place with the Father.

enjoy this short clip from bnet.com

"In contrast to European cultures, in Jamaica people do not wait for an invitation to a funeral or a nine night, the latter of which starts its count from the date of death and has its grand finale nine nights later. People come from miles away to nine nights, traveling in open-back trucks and singing and dancing all the way to the home of the deceased.

Song is central to the nine night ceremony. Most songs are taken from a hymnal known locally as the "sankey," and the singing takes place three days after the death and nine nights after the death. The night before the burial, tradition dictates a "set up" (wake), and 40 days after the death another singing must take place.

This rite of passage is to placate the spirit of the deceased, which roams for 40 days and nights before finally resting. During the nine night ceremony - which typically is held either on the veranda or in a tentlike structure built next to the house from bamboo and coconut materials - a table covered with a white cloth, on which fried fish and cassava bammy (cake) or white bread sits, occupies center stage. All the food must be left on the table until midnight, when, it is said, the spirit of the deceased passes through and has something to eat.

Like. song, strong drink is central to nine night. No such death ritual or funeral ceremony is complete without the one thing guaranteed to establish links with the spirit of the dead - 100-proof Jamaican white rum. No rum, no singing; more rum, more singing, dancing and merriment."

Mikey Dread will be laid to rest on April 5, 2008 in the same cemetery as his Parents in Port Antonio, Jamaica. We ask you to help with Mikey's Electronic Nine night, by placing this button on your website, and by Playing some Mikey Dread Music; Reading a poem or writing a blog about Mikey Dread's Message of Peace and Love. We ask that you big Mikey up as he departs for his final show with the almighty Jah Rastafari.



Enjoy Our Mikey Dread Tribute


Click here to get your own player.

WE Wanted to take a moment out and share the wonder of our Idren Mikey Dread - before the world fades him to Black.

Having spent a few hours chatting here and there with Mikey, I feel empowered to relay his message in "His Way".Mikey was an extraordinary individual; as charismatic and talented as the day was long. His charm opened many doors - and his personal choices slammed others shut.

Mikey Left Us on Saturday March 15, 2008 at approximately 4:30pm in Connecticut; surrounded by his loving family and relishing in his glorious career and lifetime accomplishments

It may be years before we see the full payout from his shrewd business decisions come to fruition in platinum sales. But be assured that with Mushiya and Monika - Mikey's Angels at the helm, his legacy will continue to Flourish and Grow for many many years to come.

Mikey left at least two albums in different stages of completion; and we are sure that in time when the vault is opened, we will find masterpieces of Mikeys' Creativity readied for release. who knows how many reels of unconverted tape Mikey kept in secret boxes. during our interview he hinted to me that he had several Unfinished Edi Fitzroy cuts - that he planned to release if they resumed their collaboration. which now will never happen.

I still wonder if those gems will see the light of day, when Monika decides what to release and when.

Unlike many other great Reggae Producers and Talents - Mikey controlled the rights and business contracts of his musical productions to the end. His legacy will yield gold for his family; as he designed in his last years. when things got bad in the early years, Mikey held back signing contracts after deals stunted his growth prematurely. he knew that if he controlled his music, and his distribution - he would be a hit, always.

Today I realized that during the final 3 years of Mikeys' time with us, he built the foundation of stability that will sustain his legacy.

His marriage to Monika left a sour taste in the mouths of some, but for Mikey it was Pure Joy.

Monika provided Mikey with his final platinum act - A Son "Jah Light" - born in October of 2007 - and from all reports, The Apple Of His Fathers Eye.

We spoke with Reggae Superstar and Radio Personality Edi Fitzroy and The Musical Ambassador Trevor Elliott; Two of Mikeys' oldest business confidants; last night, about their relationships with Mikey Dread. They both related to me their memories in balmy terms of how Mikey did business - Shrewdly.

I know that for Edi, it has been very difficult personally to deal with the memories of their painful breakup as a duo - because he often felt disappointed in the loss of such a great collaborative team. they both went on to become blockbuster artists in their own rights; but when we look back, wouldn't we all want to hear just one more tune with Edi and Mikey.. I know I sure did.

During my interview with Mikey in June 2007, we talked in length about his feelings about the break up with Edi Fitzroy; and he was also still sad and he lamented to me openly about the loss of both their working collaboration and the damage it did to their friendship. I learned from Edi just last night that Mikey had phoned him last while he was in California performing; and that they had discussed the possibility of a two man tour. Edi told me that Mikey had said "Ok, come mek we do it"; finally.

I believe Mikey said it, to instill hope in Edi that their friendship was again on the uproad to repair. Mikey undoubtedly knew by this time that his tumor had returned; and I personally believe that he was already in preparation for his longterm treatment. maybe the tour was on his "bucket list" - who knows with Mikey Dread; as he always teased you with possibility.

how great that would have been. to see the two lions roaring side by side. the world will never have that chance now that Mikey has left us and gone to Zion. When I spoke to Trevor Elliott earlier today, he casually informed me that Mikey directed him into the control booth, to act as engineer when he was recording"African Map".

This is the very tune he handed to Trevor 30 years later, as he made plans to move from Florida to North Carolina last summer. Trevor had no idea that this would be his last time sitting and drinking a juice with his idren, Mikey Dread. this past fall when Trevor got the call about the tumor, he was afraid this would be Mikey's last fight. he knew how hard the previous battle had been for Mikey, with the first tumor; and that Mikey had resigned himself to Do As Much Work as He Could, before he couldn't.


Mikey Was A Work a Holic to the end.. having dates still booked; even after he was diagnosed with the deadly brain tumor. Mikey never gave up hope, or complained about his illness. he was a perfect example of preparation in action for your trip to zion.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of My Friend and Mentor, Mikey Dread - but mostly I am glad to have had the privilege of being the One He Trusted, enough to Give His Final Interview for the world.

We Shall Celebrate Mikey Dread's Nine Night in collabaration with Foundationsound.co.uk; reggaenostalgia.com; musicalambassador.com and mikeydread.com.

We ask you to please remember Mikey's Family in Your Prayers, and to Visit Mikey's Website and Enjoy the Photos, Music and Purchase Mementos of Dread At The Controls.

Please take a moment and listen to Mikey Dread's Final Interview - with Mama ASID of BadGalsRadio from June 2007. if you want to know the facts Listen To This Podcast,

This is an official Dread at the Controls Inc. Release

With heavy hearts we at the Dread at the Controls Inc. would like to inform the World of the Passing of Jamaica's most Profound Reggae Star, Innovator, Producer and Entertainer.

The Original JBC Dread at the Controls selector

Michael "Mikey Dread" Campbell.

1954-2008 Mikey leaves to mourn his wife: Monika and their son 4 month old son Zylen Jahlight, along with 3 sons - Damian (Canada) Kevin and Michael Jr. (Jamaica) 3 daughters - Dionne (England), Nicole (Houston,TX), daughter in Belize. 2 Sisters (USA) and 2 brothers (USA). Along with a host of loving relatives/friends/and fans worldwide.

Because Mikey loved and believed in his fans so very much, we are setting up a Mikey Dread Tribute page on the - MoreFyah Productions website http://morefyah.com which should be available tomorrow.

It remains our resolve to respect Mikey's wishes that you - Mikey Dread fans are taken care of and will provide a space for you all to come together as one and give tribute and respect to the Rastaman we all loved. Mikey is no longer with us in body, but remains; in our hearts and our minds always through his vast collection of music his spirit will always live on.

Mikey always said "Praise Jah Jah and live on, Jah work is not over, Jah work has just begun, Jah work is not done, Serve Jah and live up, Serve him all your life."

Through this ordeal, Mikey remained upbeat, he lived his life to the fullest, was loved by many and in the end was surrounded in Love and was cared for by his sister, wife, nieces, nephews and brothers in Connecticut.