Dale 'deej' Lafayette grew up during the turbulent 1960's in East Oakland. Showing an early aptitude for art, he won a countywide school art contest, and one of his paintings was installed by school staff over the entrance to his former classroom. His hand-drawn book covers and comics were in demand and popular among family, friends and students. Early influences included comic artists Jack Kirby, John Romita, Jim Steranko, Barry Smith and John Byrne, music artists The Beatles, James Brown, The Temptations, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zepplin, surrealist Salvador Dali, pop artists Peter Max and Andy Warhol, thinker/philosophers Buckminster Fuller and Tim Leary, and author Allen Michael.
In the 1970s and early days of Berkeley street-art vending, Dale's unique 'flow art' paintings and natural mobiles (using materials collected at Stinson Beach) could often be found on Telegraph Avenue. Publishing efforts included posters and promotions for rock concerts, a book of poems, and a publication about UFOs which featured the Bay Area's only-ever UFO reporting service.
In 1980, Dale opened Signs & Graphics, a small art studio next to Berkeley's People's Park, and his work could soon be found all over the SF Bay Area. He expanded his focus from 1988-1991, helping friend and accomplished jazz musician Art Maxwell create the Tonal Gravity Records label, working on graphics and set design for the world premier of John Kaye's 'Cherry Terry' at Theatre 6470 in Hollywood, and producing a series of illustrations for Ellen Sebastian's stage production of 'Face' at SF's Theatre Artaud.
In the 1970s and early days of Berkeley street-art vending, Dale's unique 'flow art' paintings and natural mobiles (using materials collected at Stinson Beach) could often be found on Telegraph Avenue. Publishing efforts included posters and promotions for rock concerts, a book of poems, and a publication about UFOs which featured the Bay Area's only-ever UFO reporting service.
In 1980, Dale opened Signs & Graphics, a small art studio next to Berkeley's People's Park, and his work could soon be found all over the SF Bay Area. He expanded his focus from 1988-1991, helping friend and accomplished jazz musician Art Maxwell create the Tonal Gravity Records label, working on graphics and set design for the world premier of John Kaye's 'Cherry Terry' at Theatre 6470 in Hollywood, and producing a series of illustrations for Ellen Sebastian's stage production of 'Face' at SF's Theatre Artaud.
Dale followed this with his one-man art show, 'Kozmik Thang' – a hit at local art galleries, cafes and coffee houses. He was then quickly recruited into co-producing several editions of the cable TV series '30 Minutes: Television With A Vision' for BayCable, and managing a local Karaoke club scene newspaper.
Co-founding ad agency/publishers VisionMagik Multimedia Group (1992-97), Dale created, produced and published the award-winning music trade magazine 'Karaoke & DJ USA' – regularly collaborating with noted author and music authority, Ben Fong-Torres. A favorite among industry professionals, the slick, in-depth color magazine reached an estimated 100,000 readers annually, and effectively raised the bar for similar publications nationwide.
Co-founding ad agency/publishers VisionMagik Multimedia Group (1992-97), Dale created, produced and published the award-winning music trade magazine 'Karaoke & DJ USA' – regularly collaborating with noted author and music authority, Ben Fong-Torres. A favorite among industry professionals, the slick, in-depth color magazine reached an estimated 100,000 readers annually, and effectively raised the bar for similar publications nationwide.
Following a difficult partnership dispute, Dale took a needed break from publishing and advertising to indulge his lifelong musical aspirations and spend time as a popular Bay Area DJ and entertainer, regularly booking gigs at some of the most sought-after parties, events and venues.
During this same period Advanced Marketing & Entertainment emerged, a natural fusion of three decades of creativity, skills and experience. AME quickly found a project in working with documentary filmmaker Ben Thum on the production of the acclaimed 2000 sports documentary, ‘Alley Cracker: The Story Of Handball’ (broadcast on ESPN), followed by several outstanding and successful marketing packages for clients.
During this same period Advanced Marketing & Entertainment emerged, a natural fusion of three decades of creativity, skills and experience. AME quickly found a project in working with documentary filmmaker Ben Thum on the production of the acclaimed 2000 sports documentary, ‘Alley Cracker: The Story Of Handball’ (broadcast on ESPN), followed by several outstanding and successful marketing packages for clients.
In 2001, AME Studios announced expanded online media services, moving forward in scope and developing innovative new in-house and client projects. Today, AME continues to grow an impressive portfolio of media services, online assets and client networks.
Needless to say, 'deej' is a fairly busy guy. •
Links: DaleLafayette.com | AME Studios | Flickr | Facebook
Links: DaleLafayette.com | AME Studios | Flickr | Facebook
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