Background
Himelfarb was born in Washington District of Columbia in 1954, and first visited Jamaica in 1977.
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Doctor Dread
Edit ProfileCareer
He is notable for his respectful dedication to roots reggae artists. And in turn for helping spread their works and words throughout the world. In 1979 he began working as a disc jockey at WHFS, broadcasting under the name Doctor Dread.
In 1981 he started RAS Records, initially as a distribution company.
An excellent example of the work of Doctor Dread is the Israel Vibration three-disk set Power of the Trinity. Here Doctor Dread mixes I-Vibe songs with his interviews of members Lascelle "Wiss" Bulgin, Albert "Apple" Craig, and Cecil "Skelly" Spence.
The result is a work of profound importance, not least in that it documents the polio outbreak in Jamaica in the 1950s through the memories of some of its youngest sufferers. He has worked with many artists including Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, Inner Circle, Gregory Isaacs, Luciano, Mad Cobra, Freddy Mcgregor, Sly and Robbie, Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Bunny Wailer, and many more.
Foreign a full list visit www.rasrecords.com and click on link to RAS Artists.
Himelfarb"s book documenting his experiences running RAS Records, The Half That"s Never Been Told, was published in March 2015. He has now left the music business and has a new venture — Doctor Dread"s Famous Jerk — a range of sauces and snacks.
Membership
Himelfarb is also a board member of the Association Foreign Independent Music.
