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Don Letts’ reputation has been firmly established in both the film and music world by a substantial body of work from the late 70's through the 80's, 90’s and well into the millennium. His work has been exhibited in The Kitchen N.Y.C, The Institute of Contemporary Art, The N.F.T in London and was honored at Brooklyn’s BAM festival. In March 2003 he won a Grammy for his documentary ‘Westway To The World’.
He came to notoriety in the late 70's as the DJ that single handedly turned a whole generation of punks onto reggae. It was whilst as a d.j at the first punk club 'The Roxy' in 1977, that Don adopted the punk D.I.Y ethic and begun to make his first film 'The Punk Rock Movie'. Shot on Super-8mm it is the only documentary on the U.K punk scene w/ Sex Pistols-The Clash and many others. This led to a period directing over 300 music videos for a diverse range of artists (see below).
At the end of 2007 Don presented 'Speakers Corner' in conjunction with the British Arts council. Featuring several spoken word artists, poets and rappers with a musical band in a theatrical setting. The event toured the UK in November-December and was a contemporary response to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade.
He currently presents a weekly radio show on BBC 6 Music called 'Culture Clash Radio' and still d.j's nationally and internationally.
In March 2007 SAF Publishing released Don Letts’ autobiography ‘Culture Clash: Dread Meets Punk Rockers’ in hardback.
SELECTED FILM / DOCUMENTARY CREDITS AS DIRECTOR
2008 'Revolution Rock' (70 mins) A long form DVD of The Clash featuring various live performances many unseen.
'Made in Sheffield' (30 min doc). A look at the making of Tony Christie's new album produced by Richard Hawley (ex-Pulp).
2007 ‘Soul Britannia’ (60 mins BBC) The final episode of a three part series looking at the impact of black music on the U.K and it’s part in changing the cultural identity. Features Soul to Soul’s Jazzie B, Norman Jay, Amy Winehouse, Massive Attack’s Daddy G, Mica Paris, Omar, Roots Manuva, Goldie, Skinnyman, Joss Stone and Trevor Nelson amongst others.
2006 “The Good The Bad and The Queen’ (50mins) Concert film of Damon Albarn’s new project with Paul Simonon ex-Clash, Simon Tong ex- Verve and Tony Allen ex- Fela Kuti. Shot at The Tabernacle in West London.
2006 ‘Tales Of Dr. Funkenstein’: George Clinton (60 mins BBC4). A look at the master of P-Funk, features George Clinton, Andre 3000 and Macy Gray.
‘Rock It To Rio’: (60 mins Ch4) On tour with Franz Ferdinand in Chile, Argentina and Brazil w/ Bono.
‘All Mod Cons’ (40mins) The story of the making of The Jam’s album of the same name w/ Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Butler.
2005 ‘PUNK: Attitude’ (90 min) from Jerry Lee Lewis to Nirvana the film puts punk in the context of an ongoing counter-culture. Premiered on the IFC Channel in America it also won best the documentary prize at the Melbourne Film Festival and London’s Raindance.
2005 ‘The Brother From Another Planet’ the story of Sun Ra (60min. BBC2) A look at one of the strangest characters to emerge from the jazz scene.
2004 ‘One Love’ (90 min. feature co-directed with R. Elgood). Premiered at Cannes this is a love story shot on location in Jamaica starring Bob’s son Ky-mani Marley.
2003 ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: The Story of Gil Scott-Heron (BBC2 60 min. doc). Critically acclaimed the documentary also featured The Last Poets, Chuck D and Mos Def.
2002 ‘Downtown To Worlds End’ (30 min. doc). A look at the roots of Punk Rock in New York City. Featuring Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), John Holstrom (Punk Magazine), Jayne County, Bob Gruen and Richard Lloyd of Television.
2001 ‘The Hundred Greatest Number One’s’ (Ch4, 4hrs doc). A lighthearted look at 100 of the best number one singles from the late fifties to date. Viewed by 6 million it was Channel 4’s highest rated program that year.
2000 ‘Smile’ (45min doc.) A portrait of Marti Pellow (of Wet Wet Wet fame) as he embarks on a journey back to Memphis Tennessee. Features Willie Mitchell (Al Green’s producer).
1999 'Westway To The World’ (82 min. doc BBC2). This Grammy winning documentary looks at the story of the Clash, one the most influential punk bands of the 70's, from their roots in the U.K to their conquest of America
1998 ‘Return of the Super Ape’ (Ch4/30 min doc). Featuring the legendary work of Jamaican recording artist/ producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry.
1997 'Dancehall Queen' (90 min. feature film). Shot on location in Jamaica, it went on to be the longest running movie in Jamaica, breaking all box office records.
1996 'Planet Rock' (BBC 60 min. doc) the final episode in the B.A.F.T.A nominated series 'Dancing in the Street'. Aired in 26 countries around the world, the program examined the effect of black music in the eighties. Featured Grandmaster Flash-Africa Bambatta-Run DMC-De La Soul-Public Enemy-Frankie Knuckles-The Beastie Boys-Derrick May.
From the late seventies through to early nineties Don directed over 300 music for acts as diverse as: Bob Marley-The Pretenders-Musical Youth-Elvis Costello-Big Audio Dynamite-Public Image-The Jungle Brothers-S’ Express-Black Grape-The Pogues- Beenie Man-Deep Forest-Apache Indian-The Jungle Brothers-Eddie Grant-Sly and Robbie and all The Clash videos.
His long formwork includes: ‘Legend’: Bob Marley - ‘The Story of the Clash’ (MTV Special). DVD projects: Taj Mahal - Roy Ayers - Curtis Mayfield - Gil Scott Heron - ‘Heartland Reggae: Special Edition’ - Essential Clash.
MUSIC CREDITS:
Don continues to D.J nationally and internationally playing a strictly old and new school dub reggae. His set is in the spirit of his time as DJ at London’s legendary Roxy club back in ’77.
From the days of Punk Rock to present day Don has always been drawn towards musical projects. After d.j’ing at the Roxy and whilst directing videos for many other acts he created the band Basement Five, released a single with members of John Lydon’s P.I.L, managed the Slits and collaborated with members of Trouble Funk.
In the mid 80's he formed the group 'Big Audio Dynamite' with Mick Jones (ex-Clash). He went on to perform and co-write four albums with B.A.D achieving several hits on both sides of the Atlantic including the top ten hit E=Mc2.
In the early nineties Don left B.A.D to form ‘Screaming Target’ their debut performance at The Transmusical Festival in France received rave reviews. They released one critically acclaimed album ‘Hometown Hi-Fi’’.
As D.J Don has done d.j sets for Stussy - Rough Trade- Adidas - The Big Chill - - Jarvis Cocker’s Desperate Sound System - Trojan - Ninja Tune -Lee Perry’s and Massive Attck's Meltdown - Glastonbury - Lovebox - Bestival-to name a few.
Along with collaborations with Dreadzone and remixes for various acts with Dan Donovan, Don has also released several compilation albums:
1996 ‘Time Warp Dub Clash’ (Island Records) a compilation of old and new school dubs.
2002 ‘Dread Meets The Punk Rockers Uptown’ (Heavenly Records) voted one of the top ten compilations by the N.M.E.
2003 ‘Don Letts presents: The Mighty Trojan Sound’ (Sanctuary Records) a critically acclaimed compilation of classic seventies reggae.
2004 ‘Dread Meets B-Boy Downtown (Heavenly Records) a compilation of early eighties hip-hop.
2008 'Dread Meets Greensleeves (Greensleeves Records) a double CD selection charting the rise of the UK's biggest reggae label.
Don continues to explore the audio/visual medium………….
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