considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe during the summer. Desmond Dekker Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information Intensified 4. Desmond Dekker - Wikipedia 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. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. The music began Musical Black and Dekker 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood Desmond Dekker - This Is Desmond Dekkar Album Reviews, Songs & More On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites (Official Lyrics Video) Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. Desmond Dekker | Reggae | The Guardian Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. Desmond Dekker on Apple Music [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". , May 30, 2006, p. B7. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. He was 64. "[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. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. [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". He lived for his music and his children. Desmond Dekker - It Mek Lyrics | Genius Lyrics "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. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. even the most obscure ones.". Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". 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. Compass Point 9 in the United States in 1969. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert Photograph: PA. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. 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. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick 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. . [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. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented 1 hits in Jamaica. The vocal melody is syncopated and is centred on the tone of B flat. Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. 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). It's Not Easy 3. [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. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". He was 64. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies Intensified - Wikipedia Singer. 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. Israelites 2. "[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." A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. [1] By 1967, the only remaining members were Barry Howard and Winston Samuels and it was their backing vocals that featured on Dekker's track, "Israelites". "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. "They know all the words to his songs, And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. Nincom Poop 8. [6] Dekker also released "Problems" and "Pickney Gal", both of which were popular in Jamaica, although only "Pickney Gal" managed to chart in the UK top 50.[3]. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. 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. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. Desmond Dekker, King of Ska - Rock and Roll Paradise generations of fans. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, [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). [3] In 1972 the rude boy film The Harder They Come was released and Dekker's "007 (Shanty Town)" was featured on the soundtrack along with Cliff's version of "You Can Get It If You Really Want", as well as other Jamaican artists' hits, giving reggae more international exposure and preparing the way for Bob Marley. He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. 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. , May 27, 2006, sec. Early Life [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. [5] Despite its cautionary sentiment, it cemented Dekker's popularity among rude boys in Jamaica,[2][6] in contrast to Dekker's earlier music, which espoused traditional morals such as parental respect and the importance of education. 2 in the UK charts. On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. The track was written by Dekker (under his real name of Desmond Dacres) and his record producer, Leslie Kong, and was recorded in Jamaica with the brass . Too Much Too Soon 6. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' "Israelites" w/Lyrics- Desmond Dekker and the Aces - YouTube Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. The two had met [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. DEKKER,DESMOND - 007: The Best of Desmond Dekker - Amazon.com Music UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. ", 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. 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)". the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and 1969. Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. The singer and songwriter, whose 1969 . Desmond Dekker, Desmond Dekker & the Aces - Intensified - AllMusic [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Free shipping for many products! For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Desmond Dekker, voice of Jamaica's slums, dies at 64 [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. With a younger generation Along with Bob . wider renown. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Reggae legend Desmond Dekker dies The Harder They Come The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 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]. [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. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. 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. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. Desmond Dekker - IMDb Following his mother's death, he moved to the parish of St. Mary and later to St. of London obituary noted. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. teens had found work as a welder. "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, 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. there. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. [8] The single was a number one hit in Jamaica and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the first Jamaican-produced record to reach the UK top 20. their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. 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 was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. 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. suffering even after independence from Britain. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and 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. I told you once and I told you twice. 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. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. 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)". the Specials considered him their musical hero. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. The star was divorced with a son and daughter. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. 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. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). reached No. Washington Post I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. [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. 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. 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).
