New York Times [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. , May 27, 2006, sec. died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, 2 in the UK charts. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". Born July 16, 1941 Died May 24, 2006 (64) Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list Known for Fool's Gold 5.7 [2][12], 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. Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his The song is a lament of this condition. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . career. 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. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. Chicago Tribune Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. Intensified 4. 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. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. Although newcomers should be directed to Trojan's 1997 best-of, The Original Rude Boy, among the many retrospectives, fans of Dekker and original Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and founding reggae are well served by this narrowly focused CD. (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; He was 64. Too Much Too Soon 6. "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," Mr Williams said. stopped. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. He was a composer, known for Fool's Gold (2008), Idiocracy (2006) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). 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. "He died peacefully but it still hurts. Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . 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]. generations of fans. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. 30," Steffens said. Dekker wrote the song after watching news coverage of a student demonstration against government plans to build an industrial complex on land close to the beach, which descended into violence. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. 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. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. View their obituary at Legacy.com suffering even after independence from Britain. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Musical By the end of the decade, Mr. Dekker had won the Golden Trophy award, presented annually to Jamaica's top singer, five times and was known as the King of Bluebeat. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 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. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Track listing. 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. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. international hit. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. "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. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. of the island," wrote He was migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. 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. 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. "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, 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. "They know all the words to his songs, the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and [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]. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still "The Israelites" reached No. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. He was 64. Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. 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. 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. 1 hits in Jamaica. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. View history " 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. Times 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. Desmond Dekker 1. Washington Post Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. 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. the Specials considered him their musical hero. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood a year later. 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. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". 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. "[3] According to the liner notes for the Dekker compilation album Rockin' Steady The Best of Desmond Dekker the phrase was also used as a schoolyard taunt roughly meaning "that's what you get." 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 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. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later [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). 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. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". Privacy Policy & Terms of use. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". 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. [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. 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. In 1990 "Israelites" was used in a Maxell TV advert that became popular and brought the song and artist back to the attention of the general public. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. community, and in 1967 his song "0.0.7 (Shanty Town)" In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." 1 in Jamaica. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." Like many of Mr. Dekker's songs, it carried a message. [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. He was 64. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. Singer. , May 27, 2006, p. A11; 1 spot on He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several Desmond Dekker. of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. The song has appeared in numerous movies and television programs,[14] including the soundtracks of the 1989 American film Drugstore Cowboy and the 2010 British film Made in Dagenham. [7] A re-recorded version of "Israelites" was released in 1980 on the Stiff label, followed by other new recordings: Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" and "Book of Rules". In the 1960s, Jamaican Rastafarians were largely marginalized as "cultish" and ostracized from the larger society, including by the more conservative Christian church in Kingston. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Dekker was instrumental in popularizing the rude boy subculture, highlighting Jamaican ghetto life with 007 (Shanty Town), that became a working-class anthem for those in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. And the higher ones wanted to bulldoze the whole thing down and do their own thing and the students said no way. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. [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. Desmond Dekker was the first to have hit records outside of Jamaica and his influence on young white British teenagers was pivotal to his success in the 1960s. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. Eventually in 1963 Kong chose "Honour Your Mother and Father" (written by Dekker and the song that Dekker had sung in his Kong audition two years earlier), which became a Jamaican hit and established Dekker's musical career. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. He lived for his music and his children. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. The The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. That same year saw the release of "Beautiful and Dangerous", "Writing on the Wall", "Music Like Dirt (Intensified '68)" (which won the 1968 Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest), "Bongo Girl" and "Shing a Ling". [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. Anyone can read what you share. This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". 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)". In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. 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"). Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. teens had found work as a welder. 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. 9 in the United States in 1969. pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo For the secondary James Bond theme, see, O'Brien Chang, Kevin & Chen, Wayne (1998), Soundtrack for the ages: 40 Years of Harder They Come, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=007_(Shanty_Town)&oldid=1099693912, This page was last edited on 22 July 2022, at 03:53. Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. Black and Dekker Los Angeles Times [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits 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). Musical pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, and became one of his country's first recording stars to achieve wider renown. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. 1 in Britain and made him a household name The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. I heard a couple arguing about money. It's Not Easy 3. [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. LONDON (AP) - Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska music to the world with hits such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Roll Call"). Two . jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and 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"). [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. 2, p. 11; Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. 1972 film "Honour Thy Father and Mother" was released in Britain in 1964 on Chris Blackwell's Island label, which would later release Bob Marley's albums. Rock it to me, children. He was 64. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. 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.After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. [3], In 1968 Dekker's "Israelites" was released, eventually topping the UK Singles Chart in April 1969 and peaking in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 1969. Paul McCartney slipped Mr. Dekker's first name into the lyrics to the Beatles' ska song, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," on "The Beatles" (also known as the White Album) in 1968, the year Mr. Dekker moved to England. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." 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. "[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. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TROJAN DUB MASSIVE CHAPTER TWO 2 CD REGGAE SKA ROOTS DESMOND DECKER 40th lp 45 at the best online prices at eBay! He often sang on the job, which prompted [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". Along with Bob . A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. . 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. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. Rude. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. In 1967 he appeared on Derrick Morgan's "Tougher Than Tough", which helped begin a trend of popular songs commenting on the rude boy subculture which was rooted in Jamaican ghetto life where opportunities for advancement were limited and life was economically difficult.
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