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Don LettsBritish film director, DJ and musician, presenter
Date of Birth: 10.01.1956
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Acme Attractions and the Birth of Punk
- The Punk Rock Movie and Big Audio Dynamite
- Trip to Jamaica and Virgin's Frontline
- Continued Filmmaking and Awards
- Autobiography and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Don Letts was born on January 10, 1956, in London, England. He attended Tenison's School in Kennington, a historic boys' school founded in the late 17th century.
Acme Attractions and the Birth of Punk
In the mid-1970s, Letts worked at Acme Attractions, a fashionable clothing store in London that he co-founded with Jeannette Lee. The store became a hub for musicians and fans of punk and reggae. Inspired by the Jamaican music that permeated his family life, Letts played a pivotal role in combining the two genres as a DJ at clubs like The Roxy.
The Punk Rock Movie and Big Audio Dynamite
Building on his success as a DJ, Letts directed his first film, The Punk Rock Movie (1978), which documented the nascent punk rock movement. He also managed the female rock band The Slits and joined Mick Jones to form Big Audio Dynamite in 1984.
Trip to Jamaica and Virgin's Frontline
Letts' trip to Jamaica after the Sex Pistols' breakup inspired Richard Branson to establish Virgin's Frontline Records, a reggae label. Letts recorded the EP Steel Leg v the Electric Dread (1978) and fostered the rise of reggae in the UK.
Continued Filmmaking and Awards
Since The Punk Rock Movie, Letts has continued to direct documentaries and music videos for numerous artists. He directed Dancehall Queen (1997) in Jamaica and won a Grammy Award for Westway to the World (2003).
Autobiography and Legacy
In 2006, Letts published his autobiography, Culture Clash: Dread Meets Punk Rockers. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contributions to music and film, including a photo on The Clash's album cover for Super Black Market Clash (1993). Don Letts remains a respected and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
