Biography
Born on tour of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' in Exeter, England, his career began eleven years later in film and television. Aged fourteen, he won a Venice Film festival award for Daylight Robbery (1964), since then he has appeared in countless TV and film productions including Minder, (released on DVD in 2002), and EastEnders. At sixteen he was a teenage pin up star, featured on front covers of sixties magazine Fab 208. Darryl then began his rock and roll activities drumming for 'Krayon Angels' a group managed by Emperor Rosko. This led to Darryl to then forming in 1969 with Jess Hector (The Gorillas), the first British punk group called Crushed Butler, (acclaimed recently in the Record Collector by Mark Paytress: but not at the time, check Dig the fuzz release 'Uncrushed' DIG 029B). Later Darryl became lead vocalist/song writer and guitarist, after a lead part as Keith Richards in the premier Edinburgh Festival production of 'Let the Good Stones Roll', combining acting and music. This was followed by a premier Royal Shakespeare Company production, of Bastard Angel, written by Barry Keefe, based loosely on the Kinks. A gig in a punk club called 'Ex Und Pop' in Berlin, led to numerous concerts on the underground club circuit, and an album of his compositions released in Germany, leading to headlining gigs to large audiences. Echo Music in Berlin produced Darryl's first single 'Play With Fire'/'Trouble In The House Of Love' (the latter a Darryl Read composition), both have remained punk/Goth underground classics. Echo/Hansa flew in Paul Thompson of Roxy Music to drum with Darryl on sessions before they returned to London, for recording sessions with German keyboard player Volker Janssen, of Spear of Destiny fame. The 12-inch single, 'No Soul Through Midnight' was released with a hard core promo film (Director Darryl Read - 16mm B/W) entitled 'No Place' (available now on VHS), which were well received in the Hollywood's underground, very ahead of Tarrantino.
By this time resident in Hollywood, Darryl produced the album/CD 'Book of the Dead', co-written with Terence James Stamp ('Third World War'). Hanging out in Hollywood, Darryl met up with 'Beachy', drummer and band leader of 'The Mighty Hornets', and played with them at every happening club on the strip with Slim Jim of 'The Stray Cats' and Little Steven of 'The E-Street band' jamming on many sessions. This led to the recording of 'Beat Existentialist' CD album with 'The Hornets', containing original material written by Darryl and Terry, recorded in 1991, which also features Ray Manzarek of The Doors on three tracks.
Darryl jammed with John Entwhistle of 'The Who' at L.A.'s then famous China Club, which was also recorded on video. In 1993 Darryl won the role of Marc Bolan in a band formed by Miller Anderson and Dino Dines (formerly of T-Rex) creating a live show of Marc's work, which toured the UK. On their last gig, Darryl met Barry Smith, the director of the official Marc Bolan fan club, who now runs Darryl's own fanzine alongside with Barry's Bolan web site. Barry also put Darryl in touch with Bill Legend, the original hit-making drummer of T-Rex, and his band The Nightriders, with whom Darryl worked in the UK and Germany. They also recorded Darryl's next CD 'Teenage Dream', Bernard White formed White Label records for this purpose. This followed by 'Walking in Shadows', a four-track CD released in 1995, 'Gods 'n Angels' a five-track CD in 1996 and the latest CD, 'Colectomatic', an 18-track compilation of Darryl's compositions, all released on Bernards White Label. 'Book of the Dead' was released late '98 and is a re-issue of the original U.S. release of 1990. There is additional poetry plus previously unreleased title; 'Take A Dark Ride' completely repackaged including new photos and booklet. July 3rd '99, marked the release of 'Freshly Dug' Read-Manzarek. Darryl's collaboration with the legendary Ray Manzarek, of the Doors, recorded late March '99, Hollywood, L.A., the tracks were mixed and mastered in London by cool engineer 'Marto', and Darryl's good friend and project cohort, Clive Zone, who had encouraged Darryl's writings. This is Darryl's premiere poetry works accompanied with music written by Ray. In early 2000, Darryl finished his book of 55 selected poetry works, with illustrations from the great artist/illustrator George Underwood (Bowie/Bolan illustrator).
In late 2000 shooting began on a film based on Syd Barret of Pink Floyd fame, called Remember a Day (2000) featuring Darryl in the lead role of Roger Bannerman, directed by Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon, written by Bernard White, and Darryl, Clive Zone came in to lend a hand with the production. Just Finished in September 2003 is a forthcoming book written by Darryl titled 'Stardom Road', based on his experiences in the acting and Rock 'n' Roll world, spanning from the mid 60s to present day.
Throughout 2001, Darryl played several concerts in Berlin, including the Berlin Opera house. In Berlin he promoted Remember a Day which Tip Magazine featured recently in a half page spread article. Jan 2002, Dave Goodman ('Sex Pistols' first producer) and Darryl finished their collaboration project, on Darryl's soon to be released album CD Titled 'Shaved'.
January 2005 'Stardom Road' has been out and about, for nearly a year: and is doing very nicely. In mid-January, Darryl visited New York City: played a couple of low-key gigs ands set up some poetry readings.
Whilst struggling to find time to complete 'The Angel Of Dust' (to be released soon!), he is planning more work in NYC, Berlin, Portugal and Spain. New works in process are: Poetry book 2, solo CD album, poetry CD album and a film project.
Towards the end of 2005, marked a first in Darryl's career - both Freshly Dug and Crushed Butler Uncrushed were re-released on the same day - 26th of October 2005, on Cherry Red labels - Lemon and RPM for the UK.
Darryl recently collaborated with Spanish House Group: The Doctors, the recording is under a new genre - Poet House - the 12 inch vinyl recording of Darryl's Poem: Maybe It's Good If You Look At It Twice - will be released in Spain and worldwide in January 2006 - on Deep Bass Records Spain. Darryl finished off a screenplay for Madstar Films Ltd, and continues to play selected concerts both solo and with his group: Beat Existentialists.
Towards the end of 2006, Darryl began a mysterious film project titled Galetamar with German film star Ben Becker. He then recorded a new poetry CD album with Ray Manzarek of the Doors titled: Bleeding Paradise; this is the third album Ray and Darryl have collaborated on. In late December Darryl played concerts at the White Trash Club Berlin.
January 22nd 2007: Ray Manzarek and Darryl Read released their new poetry/music album: Bleeding Paradise worldwide.
March 2007 release of Bleeding Paradise by Ray Manzarek & Darryl Read --- promotional film; features German film star Ben Becker who plays Sam Cha Cha, Svenja plays Maria, and Darryl Read plays Richard Bartlett. There are two versions of this work.
The Madstar Films Ltd production of a Darryl Read film/Edited by Karo Goetsch can viewed on you tube.com under the title of: Sam Cha Cha.
On the 13th of November 2007 Darryl started filming and editing on his long awaited Bio/Archival/Documentary: on his films/musical works and collaborations over the last 40 years.
Eins Berlin, this is the second show in 2007. January 2008 Darryl and Beat Existentialists release a 3 track Maxi single titled Stepping Ace Roadhouse. Tracks are Stepping Stone/Ace Supreme/Roadhouse Blues. Darryl will continue his once monthly concerts a White Trash Fast Food Berlin, and is contributing more filming to a documentary on his works, and later in the year should see the release of new poetry works.
June 2008 Darryl recorded two of his new BEAT X radio shows for Radio Eins Berlin, and continues to play Rock concerts in Europe and world wide with his group Beat Existentialists', amongst other ongoing film projects.
In mid 2009 Read recorded a Mick Farren song titled: We Gotta Find Somewhere to Go the track will be featured in a forthcoming tribute album paying homage to the Pink Fairies and The Deviants, which will also feature the likes of The Damned, The Dead Kennedys, Wilko Johnson, The Only Ones. In mid November 2009 Crushed Butler Uncrushed was re-issued for the fourth time; this version on 12 inch vinyl with a new bonus track, was released worldwide by Heartbeat Radio Records NYC.
August 2010 Windian Records USA released Crushed Butler's Its My Life/My Sons Alive on vinyl, and on September 19, 2010 Read released his latest album: All The Ghosts of Rock 'n' Roll, produced by Italian/German producer Stephan Kroll.
On May 17, 2011, Read released a new single called Money Number One which was recorded in Thailand and produced by Barry Upton (known for work his with Steps). A promo video was filmed in Siam, Thailand to promote the Read/Upton composition.
Hardly of the same status of mainstream major rock contemporaries, but Read continues to be prolific as an artist, and something of a rock 'n' roll underground enigma, with a large portion of Beat poetry thrown in.
