of the world. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was [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. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites (Official Lyrics Video) Trojan Records Official 109K subscribers Subscribe 40K Share 3.5M views 3 years ago #Pyramid #Israelites #rocksteady Between 1967. Times He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. 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. Jamaican Spiced Easter Bun Recipe: Kerri-Anns 9 Side Dishes Jamaicans Serve with Jerk Chicken, The 6 Soups Every Jamaican Should Know How to Cook. "007 (Shanty Town)" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Jamaican band Desmond Dekker and the Aces, released as a single from their debut album of the same name. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. of the island," wrote ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. 2 in the UK charts. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate 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. [2] My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . Notable groups who have covered "007 (Shanty Town)" include: The song has been sampled by Special Ed ("I'm the Magnificent") and Shaggy ("Bonafide Girl"). Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. 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. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". 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". 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. international hit. [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. [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]. He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. New York Times Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. Too Much Too Soon 6. UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Black and Dekker "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. Steffens told Stewart in the When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". 1972 film Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. 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". On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. 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. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. 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. This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". [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". producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in 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. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. In 1962 "Judge Not" and "One Cup Of Coffee" became the first recorded efforts of Marley, who retained gratitude, respect and admiration for Dekker for the rest of his life. The song is a lament of this condition. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. Together with his backing group the Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968).Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. 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. "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". 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. The 2006 to 2015 line-up for Dekker's backing band, The Aces, who are still performing tribute concerts, includes: This particular line-up also recorded with Dekker on some of his later studio sessions in the 1990s. But that song was treated as a novelty. 1969. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. Roll Call"). [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. 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! Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. He often sang on the job, which prompted He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. 1 in Britain and made him a household name But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. I was his manager and his best friend. career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and [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). "It was an exciting time in Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. in 1980, and 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. The Harder They Come "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. 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)". tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. He suffered a heart attack and He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. 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. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo Destitute ("slaving for bread") and unkempt ("Shirt dem a-tear up, trousers a-go"), some Rastafarians were tempted to a life of crime ("I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde"). The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. The two had met The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). a year later. 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. 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. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. 1 spot on Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in Desmond Dekker. 1961. It's Not Easy 3. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK), List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States, "Israelites / The Man - Desmond Dekker & The Aces", "Desmond Dekker & The Aces, Beverley's All Stars - Poor Me Israelites / Fly Right", Desmond Dekker and the Aces Israelites", The Irish Charts Search Results Israelites", "Desmond Dekker & the Aces: Artist Chart History", "Desmond Dekker The Aces Chart History (Hot 100)", Offiziellecharts.de Desmond Dekker and the Aces Israelites", "British single certifications Desmond Dekker & The Aces Israelites", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Israelites_(song)&oldid=1134128754, Short description is different from Wikidata, Single chart usages for Belgium (Flanders), Single chart usages for Belgium (Wallonia), Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom, Pages using certification Table Entry with streaming figures, Pages using certification Table Entry with streaming footnote, Articles with MusicBrainz release group identifiers, Articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "My Precious World (The Man)" by Beverley's All Stars, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 03:48. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. 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). He was 64. 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. [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. [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". Musical Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." stopped. Along with Bob . park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still 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. Survivors include generations of fans. Los Angeles Times His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. Born Desmond Dacres in 1941, Dekker worked as a welder in Kingston before signing with Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and releasing his first single, "Honor Your Father and Your Mother," in . Free shipping for many products! His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. 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. given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking Like many of Mr. Dekker's songs, it carried a message. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [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. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Anyone can read what you share. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. 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. born in 1941 or 1942. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. 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. [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]. offbeat." Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). 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. Many of his 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. 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 . career. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. [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. 2, p. 11; . The music began [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. Desmond Dekker 1. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. View their obituary at Legacy.com died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. suffering even after independence from Britain. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. "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. 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. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. his music thanks to "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. released the song "You Can Get It If You Really Want." Jamaica's post-colonial I told you once and I told you twice. Singer. His mother had passed away from a young age. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. [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. 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. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. 1 in Britain and No. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. 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], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. Times He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. 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. I heard a couple arguing about money. He lived for his music and his children. States, but it reached No. Desmond Dekker passed away. By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. He was 64. 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 Jamaican charts. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. The chords of the guitar accompaniment are played on the offbeat and move through the tonic chord [B flat], the subdominant [E flat], the dominant [F], and the occasional [D flat],[5] viz, [B flat] - [E flat] - [F] - [B flat] - [D flat]. [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. "[8] The title has been the source of speculation,[9] but most settle on the Rastafarian Movement's association with the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It hit #1 in the United Kingdom,[12] the Netherlands, Jamaica, South Africa, Canada, Sweden and West Germany. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded A . Photograph: PA. I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' "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. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. 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). 1 hits in Jamaica. . Chicago Tribune Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. He died peacefully but it still hurts. Early Life Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [13] [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. 9 in the United States in 1969. [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, 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. He was 64. 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. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. 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). [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. [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. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006.