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The Clash producer/reggae star dies

Mikey Dread has passed away aged 54

Mikey Dread, the Jamaican producer/reggae star who produced the 1980 single 'Bankrobber' by The Clash and contributed to songs on their 'Sandinista!' album, died of a brain tumour on Saturday (March 15).

After being introduced to Jamaican sound engineer/producer King Tubby after studying electrical engineering in Kingston, Dread began recording his own material and recorded a series or successful singles, as well as becoming a radio DJ.

Dread, who was born in 1954, went on to tour and record with The Clash, gaining wider international acclaim. He went on to play with UB40.

Dread was diagnosed with a brain tumour last summer and moved to North Carolina for treatment before succumbing to the illness on Saturday. He is survived by his wife Monika and six children.

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