 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
DON LETTS
Film Maker-DJ
The man who introduced reggae to punk rockers
He has made over 400 music videos for groups and has established himself as one of Black Britain's most successful filmmakers. he even convinced Bob Marley that punk music was cool, which lead to Bob Marley writing the song Punk Reggae Party.
Don came to fame in the late 70's while playing reggae music to punk rockers at the Roxy night club in Covent garden, London. This lead to a mass following on the circuit and Defined him as the ultimate british cultural Icon.
All the early punk bands played The Roxy: The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Jam, Siouxsie, Buzzcocks, Generation X, Slaughter & The Dogs, Eater, The Slits, The Subway Sect, among others. American acts such as Wayne County and The Heartbreakers also appeared.
In the early days there were few appropriate records available for Don Letts to play between the groups so he would play the newest reggae of that time. Don began filmmaking and soon he was making videos for Bob Marley and The Wailers, Elvis Costello, The Sex Pistols, Jimmy Cliff and many more artists.
He is best remembered for making the first black video to appear on MTV, Musical youth's Pass The Dutchie.
Dons latest venture is a film called One Love. It has received rave reviews at the Cannes film festival.
1999 'WESTWAY TO THE WORLD' THE STORY OF THE CLASH (Uptown for BBC2) Director. WINNER 2003 GRAMMY AWARD.
1997 RETURN OF THE SUPER APE (Initial TV for Channel 4) Director. A 30’ documentary on the legendary Lee "Scratch" Perry.
1997 DANCEHALL QUEEN (palm Pics) Director. Feature movie shot in Jamaica, a box office hit.
1988 MIDNIGHT BREAKS (Film Four) Lead actor alongside Robbie Coltrane and Toyah Wilcox.
1985 LEGEND (Island Records, acquired by Channel 4) Director. Documentary on Bob Marley and the Wailers.
1997 THE PUNK ROCK MOVIE Director. The first movies on the Punk rock scene, including the Sex Pistols and The Clash.
1977 on; Over 400 MUSIC VIDEOS for Bob Marley, Maxi Priest, Elvis Costello, The Sex Pistols, Jimmy Cliff, The Pretenders, The Pogues, Baba Maal, etc.
Best Albums:
Rocking Time-Burning Spear
Catch A Fire- Bob Marley & The Wailors
Best Producer:
Lee (Scratch) Perry
Entertainers:
Big Youth, Keith Hudson And Tappazukie
