By the 1980s, he was signed to Stiff Records and his music created a short-term revival of ska, but he was bankrupt by 1984. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. View their obituary at Legacy.com Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. Mark Lamarr, presenter of BBC Radio 2's Reggae Show, said: "He probably was the first reggae superstar to have hits outside Jamaica in the US and UK. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. teens had found work as a welder. [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. Thomas. Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. his music thanks to [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. the Specials considered him their musical hero. Kong, whose music production skills had been a crucial part of both Dekker's and Cliff's careers, died in 1971, affecting the careers of both artists for a short period of time. of the biblical era. [6], The 1980s found Dekker signed to a new label, Stiff Records, an independent label that specialized in punk and new wave acts as well as releases associated with the 2 Tone label, whose acts instigated a short-lived but influential ska revival. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. Desmond Adolphus Dacres (Desmond Dekker), singer and songwriter, born July 16 1941; died May 25 2006, Jamaican singer best known for The Israelites and It Miek, he helped launch the career of Bob Marley, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. [1], The original recording of "007" (without the 'Shanty Town') was produced by Leslie Kong and originally released as a single on the Pyramid label. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. "007 (Shanty Town)" was included in the soundtrack for Chocolate Skateboard's Las Nueve Vidas De Paco (1995), during the segment of professional skater Keenan Milton. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. But that song was treated as a novelty. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. 1 in Jamaica. Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his "Israelites" is a song written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong that became a hit for Dekker's group, Desmond Dekker & The Aces,[2] reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries in 1969. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. Desmond Dekker, who has died of a heart attack aged 64 in Surrey, was one of the first Jamaican vocalists to make a significant impact outside the land of his birth. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Early Life Desmond Dekker, was born in Jamaica's Saint Andrew Parish on July 16, 1941, and was an early influencer with one of the earliest reggae hits, "Israelites." The ska, reggae and rock steady singer, songwriter and musician was introduced to music through the local church he attended as a child. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Survivors include [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. He was 64. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. 1 hits in Jamaica. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; Other successes included 007 (Shanty Town) and Rude Boy Train, which established him as an icon of Jamaica's 1960s rude boy scene - the ska subculture of sharp-suited urban youth who lead violent invasions of dancehall parties. A global million sales was reported in June 1969. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. [4] It combined the Rastafarian religion with rude boy concerns,[5] to make what has been described as a "timeless masterpiece that knew no boundaries".[6]. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still The "007" riddim was revived in 2007 for a series of releases on Beverley's Records, forming the basis of singles from Joseph Cotton ("Ship Sail"), Mike Brooks ("Blam Blam Blam"), The Blackstones ("Out a Road"), and Dennis Alcapone ("D.J. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. This was the sense used in the song's lyrics, which metaphorically tell of the problems that happens when someone (such as a lover) goes too far. His fourth hit, "King of Ska" (backing vocals by The Cherrypies, also known as The Maytals), made him into one of the island's biggest stars. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. Dekker's last gig was in Leeds on 11 May (Photo: egigs.co.uk), Dekker's hits included Israelites, It Mek and 007 (Shanty Town), The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, BBC Radio 2's Mark Lamarr pays tribute to Desmond Dekker. Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968). Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. Desmond Dekker unleashed a flood of fine singles across the '60s and early '70s, all under the aegis of producer Leslie Kong.Taking a chance on an untried youngster barely into his teens, who'd already been shown the door by Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid, Kong nurtured Dekker to international stardom, only to die suddenly in 1971, two years after the singer's breakthrough. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. It Mek 7. It was one of the first reggae songs to become an international hit, despite Dekker's strong Jamaican accent which made his lyrics difficult to understand for many listeners outside Jamaica.[10]. ", Reggae DJ Daddy Ernie, of Choice FM in London, said: "Any history book that you pick up on reggae, Desmond Dekker's name will have to be in there. "I was telling people not to give up as things will get better," he said in a interview last year for the Set the Tone 67 Web site. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". Jamaican Spiced Easter Bun Recipe: Kerri-Anns 9 Side Dishes Jamaicans Serve with Jerk Chicken, The 6 Soups Every Jamaican Should Know How to Cook. stopped. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. Tips of My Fingers 5. [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up Adinah" (credited as The Four Aces). Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. a year later. Anyone can read what you share. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe during the summer. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. I was his manager and his best friend. Search instead in Creative? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The song established Dekker as a rude boy icon in Jamaica and also became a favourite dance track for the young working-class men and women of the United Kingdom's mod scene. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. there. The music began "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, [13], Dekker had two more UK Top 10 hits over the next year, "It Miek" and his cover of Jimmy Cliff's song "You Can Get It If You Really Want". [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. Mr Williams described the singer as a private person who would go back to Jamaica from time to time but only to see his family rather than to perform: "He wasn't out there like other stars partying all the time, he just did his job. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. Also founder & MD of popular Reggae and Ska Tribute/backing band, Paul Abraham Guitarist and backing vocals, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 17:21. 1972 film He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. "He died peacefully but it still hurts. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Singer. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, 9 in the United States in 1969. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. He suffered a heart attack and Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. He was 64. This double disc set features every major UK and Jamaican chart hit by the first King of Reggae, all sourced from the original analog master tapes. Originally issued in Jamaica as "Poor Me Israelites",[7] it remains the best known Jamaican reggae hit to reach the United States Hot 100's top 10,[5] and was written almost two years after Dekker first made his mark with the rude boy song "007 (Shanty Town)". career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", "Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song". In 1962 "Judge Not" and "One Cup Of Coffee" became the first recorded efforts of Marley, who retained gratitude, respect and admiration for Dekker for the rest of his life. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. 15 on the British charts. Los Angeles Times Mr Williams said: "He was at his peak fitness, he had this big tour coming up for this summer and he was looking forward to it - and then that was it. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Desmond Dekker 5/2006. Manager Delroy Williams said the Jamaica-born performer had seemed fine when they met a day earlier, adding: "I don't think I will ever get over this. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. Black and Dekker [12][13], Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, England, aged 64[3] and was buried at Streatham Park Cemetery. Los Angeles Times She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. Washington Post Jamaica's post-colonial [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". He often sang on the job, which prompted in 1980, and An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. Desmond Dekker passed away. "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". Together with his backing group the Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968).Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really . With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, Dekker recorded on the Pyramid record label, and when its catalogue was acquired by Cactus Records in 1975, "Israelites" was re-issued in a first-time stereo mix. By the time I got home, it was complete. Mr Dekker was born Desmond Dacres on July 16, 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and started working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. [2] I told you once and I told you twice. Along with Bob . Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. [1] Dekker's international success led to him touring overseas, although The Aces did not accompany him due to Samuels refusal to fly (Samuels stating that "Rastas did not fly on iron birds") and Barry Howard's decision to emigrate to the United States. Singer. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. The song would return to the British charts in 1975 and was reissued as a single after being used in a commercial for Maxell recording tape in 1990. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites (Official Lyrics Video) Trojan Records Official 109K subscribers Subscribe 40K Share 3.5M views 3 years ago #Pyramid #Israelites #rocksteady Between 1967. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. Desmond Dekker. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker [3], Dekker continued to release rude boy songs such as "Rude Boy Train" and "Rudie Got Soul", as well as mainstream cultural songs like "It's a Shame", "Wise Man", "Hey Grandma", "Unity", "If It Pays", "Mother's Young Girl", "Sabotage" and "Pretty Africa". The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". The song is a lament of this condition. Israelites 2. producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. "007 (Shanty Town)" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Jamaican band Desmond Dekker and the Aces, released as a single from their debut album of the same name. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Born Desmond Dacres in 1941, Dekker worked as a welder in Kingston before signing with Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and releasing his first single, "Honor Your Father and Your Mother," in . Although Mr. Dekker had no further hits in the United States, he continued to have hits in England with "It Mek" in 1969 and the first recording of Jimmy Cliff's "You Can Get It if You Really Want" in 1970. 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. Desmond Dekker 1. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard born in 1941 or 1942. Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. [1], Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest, "Jamaica Ska Legend Winston Samuels Is Dead - News Americas NowCaribbean and Latin America Daily News", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Aces_(Jamaican_group)&oldid=1117842044, Easton Barrington "Barry" Howard (19651969), Winston James Samuels (left 1969, died 2017), This page was last edited on 23 October 2022, at 21:37. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. "007 (Shanty Town)" was included in the soundtrack of the film The Harder They Come,[13] and in the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack from the Episodes from Liberty City add-on. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. The themes of Dekker's songs during the first four years of his career dealt with the moral, cultural and social issues of mainstream Jamaican culture: respect for one's parents ("Honour Your Mother and Father"), religious morality ("Sinners Come Home") and education ("Labour for Learning"). Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". With a younger generation of the island," wrote Sung in Jamaican creole, some of the song's lyrics were not readily understood by many British and American listeners at the time of its release. The chords of the guitar accompaniment are played on the offbeat and move through the tonic chord [B flat], the subdominant [E flat], the dominant [F], and the occasional [D flat],[5] viz, [B flat] - [E flat] - [F] - [B flat] - [D flat]. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. Dekker, who lived in England, co By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. The 7 Breakfast Dishes Every Jamaican Should Know How Jamaican Men Say Thank You to another Jamaican How Jamaicans Greet You When They Have Not Seen You 20 English Words That Sound Better In Jamaican Patois. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. He was And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. Rock it to me, children. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. 1 in Britain and made him a household name Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. In 1975 this collaboration resulted in the release of "Sing a Little Song", which charted in the UK top twenty; this was to be his last UK hit. Destitute ("slaving for bread") and unkempt ("Shirt dem a-tear up, trousers a-go"), some Rastafarians were tempted to a life of crime ("I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde"). The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. 1 in Britain and No. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several Free shipping for many products! and became one of his country's first recording stars to achieve the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest , May 27, 2006, p. A11; ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968). Dekker then recruited four brothers, Carl, Patrick, Clive and Barry Howard, as his permanent backing vocalists to perform with him under the name Desmond Dekker and the Aces. He was a composer, known for Fool's Gold (2008), Idiocracy (2006) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). [8] King of Kings consists of songs by Dekker's musical heroes including Byron Lee; Theophilus Beckford, Jimmy Cliff, and his friend and fellow Kong label artist, Derrick Morgan. reached No. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." The two had met The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. . A . "[8] The title has been the source of speculation,[9] but most settle on the Rastafarian Movement's association with the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It Mek (sometimes appearing as "A It Mek" or German language "It Miek") was a 1969 hit song by the Jamaican musicians Desmond Dekker & the Aces. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. Desmond Dekker - Israelites (Official Music Video) Weedy Weed Smoker 7.04K subscribers Subscribe 349K views 5 years ago Music video by Desmond Dekker performing Israelites. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. [3] In Dekker's words: "The students had a demonstration and it went all the way around to Four Shore Road and down to Shanty Town. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Musical 1961. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. The Three years later, Mr. Dekker had his first British Top 20 hit with "007 (Shanty Town)," a tale of rude-boy ghetto violence "Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail" sung in a thick patois, which Americans would hear later as part of the soundtrack to the film "The Harder They Come" in 1972. Dekker's own songs did not go to the extremes of many other popular rude boy songs, which reflected the violence and social problems associated with ghetto life, though he did introduce lyrics that resonated with the rude boys, starting with one of his best-known songs, "007 (Shanty Town)". Desmond Dekker in Comanche Park video Sony Records (1994), Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest, "Desmond Dekker - full Official Chart History", "Desmond Dekker Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography", "British certifications Desmond Dekker", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Desmond_Dekker&oldid=1133815021, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Jamaican English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Aubrey Mulrain keyboard player and session musician, Steve Roberts guitarist and session musician (also a member of the British band Dubzone), Stan Samuel guitarist and session musician, Charles Nelson keyboard player and session musician, Delroy Williams Vocals (also featuring guests Winston 'Mr Fix It' Francis and Glenroy Oakley from Greyhound 'Black & White'), Gordon Mulrain bass guitarist and session musician, Learoy Green drums, backing vocals and session musician, Bryan Campbell Keyboard player and session musician, Steve Baker Guitarist, backing vocals, peripatetic guitar teacher and session guitarist.
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