"The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, Photograph: PA. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard 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. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. ", 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. 2 in the UK charts. It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late 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. All tracks composed by Desmond Dekker; except where indicated "It Mek" (Dekker, Leslie Kong) - 1:40 "Too Much Too Soon" (Dekker, Leslie Kong) - 2:38 "Coconut Water" - 3:27 "Sweet Music" - 2:29 I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. [4] "007 (Shanty Town)" was a top 15 hit in the UK and his UK concerts were attended by a large following of mods wherever he played. 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). Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. "[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." Compass Point [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. 1961. Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. The song is a lament of this condition. He was orphaned as a teenager but made a success for himself after signing with Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and releasing his first single, Honour Your Father and Mother, in 1963, a paean. . and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. [1] 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 accompaniment added in the UK. [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. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. [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. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. He often sang on the job, which prompted [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. international hit. On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, in 1980, and He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". Los Angeles Times The star was divorced with a son and daughter. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker 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. Times An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. 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. As a teenager he worked in a welding shop alongside Bob Marley and auditioned unsuccessfully for various producers until Mr. Marley encouraged him to try out for his own first producer, Leslie Kong. 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. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. I was his manager and his best friend. of the island," wrote Steffens told Stewart in the He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. [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. Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. of London obituary noted. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented His mother had passed away from a young age. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. 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. 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. Intensified 4. "[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. He was 64. 30," Steffens said. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, Along with Bob . sold millions of copies, became the first purely Jamaican song to top the From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. "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. 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. He recorded an album called Black & Dekker (1980), which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band and Akrylykz (featuring Roland Gift, later of Fine Young Cannibals). He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. 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 Los Angeles Times Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. 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]. 1 hits in Jamaica. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. The two had met 2, p. 11; May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. Singer. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". He suffered a heart attack and An instrumental figure in the development of ska and its slightly mellower cousin, rocksteady, Dekker was also one the first reggae performers to break big in the U.K., laying the groundwork for that country's late 1970s 2 Tone movement. Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert reached No. 9 in the United States in 1969. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. 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. 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. [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. He was 64. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. New York Times the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest 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. 1 in Jamaica. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . Too Much Too Soon 6. 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. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. Early Life Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. Track listing. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. his music thanks to jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and 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. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". , May 27, 2006, p. A11; Musical offbeat." 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. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. Rude. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. 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"). Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under Desmond Dekker 1. "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. 1 in Britain and No. I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' 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. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. wider renown. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Nincom Poop 8. The 1 in Britain and made him a household name They provided the backing vocals on Dekker's major hit "007 (Shanty Town)" as well as the track "Music Like Dirt (Intensified '68)" (the winning song of the 1968 Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest). 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. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. "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. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". 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 found fame with his band Desmond Dekker and the Aces - their international hit Israelites topped the UK charts and made the top 10 in the US. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. He was 64. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. Black and Dekker Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. By the time I got home, it was complete. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later [13] Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to He was [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . [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. 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. Rock it to me, children. 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 . [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". [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. [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. 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. 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. 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. [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. He lived for his music and his children. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. A series of songs including "Rude Boy Train" and "Rudie Got Soul" made Mr. Dekker a hero of Jamaica's rough urban "rude boy" culture. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. released the song "You Can Get It If You Really Want." Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. 1969. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". This Is Desmond Dekkar Review. He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. career. [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. died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. It's Not Easy 3. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. 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. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. 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 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. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". "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. Incudes 'Israelites', '007 (Shanty Town)', 'It Miek', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' and 'Sing a Litte Song'. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Anyone can read what you share. [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".
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