Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. Musical died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. . [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. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. 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. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. 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. [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 15 on the British charts. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. 1 hits in Jamaica. 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. 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. "007 (song)" redirects here. of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, Like many of Mr. Dekker's songs, it carried a message. 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 Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. 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. 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'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. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. of the world. 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. 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. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Times Roll Call"). The most successful track of his of London obituary noted. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. reached No. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. "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. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. 1961. He was 64. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. A . He lived for his music and his children. [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. 30," Steffens said. offbeat." "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, [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 was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 007: The Best of Desmond Dekker is a two-disc collection that features 25 classic hits from Dekker's catalog, as well as another 25 rare and unreleased sides including alternate takes of some of the artist's fan favorites of the '60s and '70s. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. He often sang on the job, which prompted He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. His mother had passed away from a young age. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Rude. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". [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. 1972 film States, but it reached No. A few It Mek 7. The "It was an exciting time in Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard 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]. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. 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. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. 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. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. [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. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. 1969. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. 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. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music 1 spot on I dig you out and you're cool, girl. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. 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. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. He was 64. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. Early Life Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. Israelites 2. Los Angeles Times 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)". And the higher ones wanted to bulldoze the whole thing down and do their own thing and the students said no way. Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. "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. [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded Survivors include career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and 9 in the United States in 1969. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 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. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking 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. With a younger generation [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. Steffens told Stewart in the When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". 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. 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. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. 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. "Desmond Dekker and the Aces: Artist Chart History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=It_Mek&oldid=1057544344, Short description is different from Wikidata, Single chart usages for Belgium (Flanders), Single chart usages for Belgium (Wallonia), Articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 November 2021, at 07:27. The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. of the island," wrote [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". He was 64. 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. Los Angeles Times By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. His lyrics drew Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a in 1980, and By the time I got home, it was complete. 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. 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. expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and Desmond Dekker, the orphan who trained as a welder alongside one Robert Marley and led the march of Jamaican music on to the global charts, has died aged 64. (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; of the biblical era. Incudes 'Israelites', '007 (Shanty Town)', 'It Miek', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' and 'Sing a Litte Song'. 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". , May 27, 2006, p. A11; Many of his 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). [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]. It's Not Easy 3. Anyone can read what you share. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. 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). It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. "They know all the words to his songs, Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. He was 64. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. The music began [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. version of ska. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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 . 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] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . 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. Intensified 4. [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. Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United 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. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert the Specials considered him their musical hero. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in 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"). 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"). Desmond Dekker 5/2006. Desmond Dekker 1. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". . [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. sold millions of copies, became the first purely Jamaican song to top the As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. [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". 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. his music thanks to Desmond Dekker passed away. 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). Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. [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. 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. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. He was The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . Washington Post But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. New York Times The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. It hit #1 in the United Kingdom,[12] the Netherlands, Jamaica, South Africa, Canada, Sweden and West Germany. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. 1 in Britain and No. 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. Los Angeles Times introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own 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. 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. [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). migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate 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. 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. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe during the summer. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. I was his manager and his best friend. of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under 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.
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