What do you think?
Rate this book
The Half That's Never Been Told: The Real-Life Reggae Adventures of Doctor Dread
"Impassioned and engaging."
-- Booklist
"A heartfelt tribute to Caribbean roots music and those who keep it alive."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"In 1972, Gary Himelfarb...heard reggae music for the first time and fell in love. He embraced the music...with a passion that he matched with a genuine curiosity about Jamaican culture and sincere friendships with musicians there....There is a sweetness and sincerity to the best parts of the book....Dread's serious case of 'reggaemylitis' gave him some remarkable experiences."
-- Publishers Weekly
"The book is a tale of business, family, ethics, health, and survival...an entertaining read."
-- Washington City Paper
"A gem...Real music heads will truly enjoy this book....For anyone who is a fan of Reggae music, this book is a must-have."
-- Baltimore Times
"A nice read...hilarious and spellbinding."
-- Caribbean Life
"Doctor Dread may just prove to be as gripping a storyteller as he was a record producer. In this revelatory vignette-filled offering, he bends the rules with an unorthodox literary style, unveiling a torrent of chronicles that are spontaneous, colorful, richly authentic and brazen. This is a unique work on many levels. Doctor Dread does offer new and intimate insights into the legends of Jamaican culture....Highly recommended."
-- Jamaica Gleaner
"Full of heart and soul as well as photos from many of the author's greatest moments, it is a must for anybody interested in reggae music and its cast of characters or the music business in general."
-- Reggaeville
"This book should be on the shelf of any serious lover of reggae...Not only is Himelfarb a great storyteller...he is also a talented writer."
-- FDRMX
"An inside perspective of the reggae music phenomenon...[Dread] explains how his decision to form the RAS label came at a tragic but important moment in music history, as the death of Bob Marley in 1981 led to a market eager for the earthy sounds of reggae. Dread also relates fine portrayals of legends like Philip 'Fatis' Burrell, the many Marleys, Freddie McGregor, and Bunny Wailer."
-- Insights
"This easily readable memoir does far more than chart the label's ebbs and flows....Delightfully candid and brutally honest, this is a must-read for all reggae fans."
-- MOJO Magazine (UK)
"Hugely compelling page-turner....a no-nonsense tome that gives intimate portraits of Jamaican music's most colorful characters, and sheds light on the individual world view of Doctor Dread, with many 'twilight zone' incidents, lots of confliction, and a good deal of redemption too....Recommended reading for all reggae fans."
-- Riddim Magazine (Germany)
"Absolutely not to be missed!"
-- HotMC (Italy)
With an introduction by Bunny Wailer.
Doctor Dread has committed his life to producing reggae music and releasing it on his label, RAS Records. He has become one of the world's foremost reggae producers, and has worked with almost all the genre's Bunny Wailer, Black Uhuru, Ziggy and Damian Marley, Gregory Isaacs, etc. This book, full of behind-the-scenes stories, has shocking chapters that will reveal aspects of reggae never before explored.
-- Booklist
"A heartfelt tribute to Caribbean roots music and those who keep it alive."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"In 1972, Gary Himelfarb...heard reggae music for the first time and fell in love. He embraced the music...with a passion that he matched with a genuine curiosity about Jamaican culture and sincere friendships with musicians there....There is a sweetness and sincerity to the best parts of the book....Dread's serious case of 'reggaemylitis' gave him some remarkable experiences."
-- Publishers Weekly
"The book is a tale of business, family, ethics, health, and survival...an entertaining read."
-- Washington City Paper
"A gem...Real music heads will truly enjoy this book....For anyone who is a fan of Reggae music, this book is a must-have."
-- Baltimore Times
"A nice read...hilarious and spellbinding."
-- Caribbean Life
"Doctor Dread may just prove to be as gripping a storyteller as he was a record producer. In this revelatory vignette-filled offering, he bends the rules with an unorthodox literary style, unveiling a torrent of chronicles that are spontaneous, colorful, richly authentic and brazen. This is a unique work on many levels. Doctor Dread does offer new and intimate insights into the legends of Jamaican culture....Highly recommended."
-- Jamaica Gleaner
"Full of heart and soul as well as photos from many of the author's greatest moments, it is a must for anybody interested in reggae music and its cast of characters or the music business in general."
-- Reggaeville
"This book should be on the shelf of any serious lover of reggae...Not only is Himelfarb a great storyteller...he is also a talented writer."
-- FDRMX
"An inside perspective of the reggae music phenomenon...[Dread] explains how his decision to form the RAS label came at a tragic but important moment in music history, as the death of Bob Marley in 1981 led to a market eager for the earthy sounds of reggae. Dread also relates fine portrayals of legends like Philip 'Fatis' Burrell, the many Marleys, Freddie McGregor, and Bunny Wailer."
-- Insights
"This easily readable memoir does far more than chart the label's ebbs and flows....Delightfully candid and brutally honest, this is a must-read for all reggae fans."
-- MOJO Magazine (UK)
"Hugely compelling page-turner....a no-nonsense tome that gives intimate portraits of Jamaican music's most colorful characters, and sheds light on the individual world view of Doctor Dread, with many 'twilight zone' incidents, lots of confliction, and a good deal of redemption too....Recommended reading for all reggae fans."
-- Riddim Magazine (Germany)
"Absolutely not to be missed!"
-- HotMC (Italy)
With an introduction by Bunny Wailer.
Doctor Dread has committed his life to producing reggae music and releasing it on his label, RAS Records. He has become one of the world's foremost reggae producers, and has worked with almost all the genre's Bunny Wailer, Black Uhuru, Ziggy and Damian Marley, Gregory Isaacs, etc. This book, full of behind-the-scenes stories, has shocking chapters that will reveal aspects of reggae never before explored.
- GenresMusic
274 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2014
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 18, 2015
If you are a fan of reggae (true reggae!) this is a must read. It is filled with great anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories about some of the greatest songs, albums, and artists of the genre.
Told in small stories with no chronological (or sometimes even logical) order, this book was obviously not written by a professional writer. However, it is written by a passionate man with a truly interesting, amazing life.
Told in small stories with no chronological (or sometimes even logical) order, this book was obviously not written by a professional writer. However, it is written by a passionate man with a truly interesting, amazing life.
September 5, 2025
Highly recommended if you like/love/enjoy reggae and Jamaican culture. It also shares valuable lessons based on Doc’s own experiences. (Loved that he talked about Gondwana, one of my all time favorites bands, and Chilean like me🇨🇱)
I value the first message: “forward ever, backward never…”
I value the first message: “forward ever, backward never…”
February 17, 2025
Interesting look at his interactions with some top reggae artists. It's a bit self-important but definitely some decent stories.
March 16, 2015
Great book. Dr. Dread aka Gary Himelburg, has been a player in the production of reggae music and distribution of reggae music around the world for many years. Through RAS Records and Tafarian Music Publishing, Dr. Dread has introduced reggae artists and music from Jamaica to the rest of the world.
This book is an extremely well written, easy to read and digest autobiography of Dr. Dread's relationships with artists and with the Rastafarian movement. One of the most refreshing aspects of the book is that Dread is a Rasta himself and spends some time explaining what true Rastafarian beliefs entail and mean. For him, and for other involved, there is a depth of spiritual practice that goes far beyond the suburban teenage belief in Rasta as an excuse to smoke pot. In fact, although the herb makes appearances in this book, it is in the context of its place as part of the religious practice.
Another refreshing aspect is that while Bob Marley is mentioned in appropriately reverential tones as one of the founders of the Wailers and an important figure in Jamaica and the reggae movement, the book does not overly focus on him, thus allowing many other acts who have made important contributions to reggae to have their day in the sun.
The first third of the book covers the authors travels through South America, Colombia and ultimately, finding his way to Jamaica. In many ways, this third is also a love letter to Jamaica. By that, I mean that he really takes you there so that whether you have been or not, you have the feel of the people, the smell of the beach and the jungle and the sea breeze, the taste of the food and the feel of the sand as well as the sound of the music firmly entrenched in your mind. These are important elements to all world music as they establish for the reader, the setting in which this music is created.
The second third of the book is about the author's interactions with individual reggae artists and groups. This encompasses everything from individual songs, to production of albums, to touring issues. It takes the reader from ska, to traditional reggae to dancehall reggae to rap and hip hop that have been influenced by reggae. Readers will probably be surprised by the number of acts they recognize. If not the acts, then many songs mentioned will be familiar. This is also a valuable introduction that all musicians should read about how the music business works. Dr. Dread worked from a particular philosophy that was greatly influenced by his beliefs in Rastafarianism and personal spirituality. He takes the opportunity to point out how artists are frequently duped out of monies they should be receiving from their music: from publishing, performing and touring to merchandising and promotion.
The final third of the book focuses on the realities of life. While Dread made money in music, he also lost it. How being an artist doesn't really pay and many artists and producers are forced to get "real jobs" in order to afford to be able to do what they love. Hands up all artists that have taken those jobs they hate for the same reasons. He talks about his loathsome experiences in working for the man and how his personal health issues played into his need for health insurance. Hands up again, artists.
A great read for lovers of reggae, musicians, artists and those leading the life on the road less traveled or those wanting to love it vicariously through others who have done so already.
This book is an extremely well written, easy to read and digest autobiography of Dr. Dread's relationships with artists and with the Rastafarian movement. One of the most refreshing aspects of the book is that Dread is a Rasta himself and spends some time explaining what true Rastafarian beliefs entail and mean. For him, and for other involved, there is a depth of spiritual practice that goes far beyond the suburban teenage belief in Rasta as an excuse to smoke pot. In fact, although the herb makes appearances in this book, it is in the context of its place as part of the religious practice.
Another refreshing aspect is that while Bob Marley is mentioned in appropriately reverential tones as one of the founders of the Wailers and an important figure in Jamaica and the reggae movement, the book does not overly focus on him, thus allowing many other acts who have made important contributions to reggae to have their day in the sun.
The first third of the book covers the authors travels through South America, Colombia and ultimately, finding his way to Jamaica. In many ways, this third is also a love letter to Jamaica. By that, I mean that he really takes you there so that whether you have been or not, you have the feel of the people, the smell of the beach and the jungle and the sea breeze, the taste of the food and the feel of the sand as well as the sound of the music firmly entrenched in your mind. These are important elements to all world music as they establish for the reader, the setting in which this music is created.
The second third of the book is about the author's interactions with individual reggae artists and groups. This encompasses everything from individual songs, to production of albums, to touring issues. It takes the reader from ska, to traditional reggae to dancehall reggae to rap and hip hop that have been influenced by reggae. Readers will probably be surprised by the number of acts they recognize. If not the acts, then many songs mentioned will be familiar. This is also a valuable introduction that all musicians should read about how the music business works. Dr. Dread worked from a particular philosophy that was greatly influenced by his beliefs in Rastafarianism and personal spirituality. He takes the opportunity to point out how artists are frequently duped out of monies they should be receiving from their music: from publishing, performing and touring to merchandising and promotion.
The final third of the book focuses on the realities of life. While Dread made money in music, he also lost it. How being an artist doesn't really pay and many artists and producers are forced to get "real jobs" in order to afford to be able to do what they love. Hands up all artists that have taken those jobs they hate for the same reasons. He talks about his loathsome experiences in working for the man and how his personal health issues played into his need for health insurance. Hands up again, artists.
A great read for lovers of reggae, musicians, artists and those leading the life on the road less traveled or those wanting to love it vicariously through others who have done so already.
March 14, 2015
NOTE: I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I know very little about reggae, and I had never heard of Doctor Dread before I entered the contest.
I enjoyed this book immensely, as a tale of one man who made his dreams come true...with a little luck and a LOT of gumption!
I know very little about reggae, and I had never heard of Doctor Dread before I entered the contest.
I enjoyed this book immensely, as a tale of one man who made his dreams come true...with a little luck and a LOT of gumption!
April 12, 2015
Review pending
June 29, 2015
Pretty great stuff. Given all the star-connections, it would have been easy to get into lots of naval-gazing and such. Author comes across as amazingly sincere. Kudos Dr. Dread.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews