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, since then he has appeared in countless TV and film productions including Minder, (just released on DVD in 2002) and East Enders.

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 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 bandleader of 'The Mighty Hornets', 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.

'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). The 'SET' poetry works can be obtained at, Waterstones or Helter Skelter book shops.
In late 2000 shooting began on a film based on Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd fame, called 'Remember A day' featuring Darryl in the lead roll 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 Feb 2002 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 60's to present day.

Latest news 2002, Remember a Day has received good critical acclaim in Berlin, where it played in two festival's and two underground Kino's, the film also did well in London at its Camden town premier where 275 hard core punters turned out for the event. The film is currently being marketed for DVD and VHS release, and is distributed independently at this time by Madstar Films Ltd. RAD, has already gained the reputation of being a cult piece, featuring a heavyweight cast including Zoot Money and Jamie Foreman.

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.

Darryl is currently into four chapters of his new book 'The Angel Of Dust', along with Concerts and poetry reading dates in Europe and the USA 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.

August 2006, Darryl was in the States, recording again an new CD together with his old friend Ray Manzarek, Keyboard Player of the Doors from LA. Available soon!

Lately Darryl is busy shooting his new film in Spain together with the famous german actor Ben Becker.

Jamming in Spain with the keyboard legend Roy Young was fun, so says Darryl himself. Roy Young , the keyboard player  did work already with many famous musicians like the Beatles for example!!!

This biografie is taken from Darryl's official site: www.darrylread.com