Reggae fans will be nourished mentally, physically and probably in other ways when they stop into the Brooklyn Public Library on March 4 for a book launch.
The book, penned by Gary Himmelfarb AKA Doctor Dread is entitled “The Half That’s Never Been Told: The Real Live Reggae Adventures of Doctor Dread.”
In it, Doctor Dread “explains how a white, Jewish American became one of the foremost producers in reggae.”
Born in Washington DC in 1954, he began working as a disc jockey at WHFS in 1979.
He chose the moniker, Doctor Dread to identify his programming of roots, reggae music.
Recounting his first visit to Jamaica in 1977 after hearing music by Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, Doctor Dread details how four years later he was able to start his own distribution company which transformed to RAS (Real Authentic Sounds) Records, reggae label and emerged the sought-after producer to sign Culture, Eek-A-Mouse, Freddie McGregor, Don Carlos, Israel Vibrations, The Melodians, Michigan & Smiley, Luciano, Gregory Isaacs, Black Uhuru, Mad Professor, Inner Circle and Bunny Wailer.
As a matter of fact, the introduction to the book is written by Wailer, the only living member of Bob Marley’s collaborating Wailers.
The cover features a classic photo of Dread with revered crooner, the late “Night Nurse” singer Isaacs.
Published by Akashic Books, the book has been anticipated by reggae insiders and fans who regret that Doctor Dread is no longer involved with the music industry he is credited with enhancing.
Undoubtedly, after stimulating conversation about the book with author Christopher J. Farley, guests will savor their appetites for facts, food and music with free treats from Golden Krust, Brooklyn Brewery and an acoustic performance from Steel Pulse lead singer, David Hinds.
The signing event is jointly presented with LargeUp and is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. at 10 Grand Army Plaza.