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. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented 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 unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. I told you once and I told you twice. [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. community, and in 1967 his song "0.0.7 (Shanty Town)" Singer. Desmond Dekker. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". [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. Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. [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. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and "[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." 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. [13] 1 in Jamaica. The music began charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, 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. 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. 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. Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969. The 7 Breakfast Dishes Every Jamaican Should Know How Jamaican Men Say Thank You to another Jamaican How Jamaicans Greet You When They Have Not Seen You 20 English Words That Sound Better In Jamaican Patois. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. born in 1941 or 1942. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Free shipping for many products! The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. 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. "The Israelites" reached No. his music thanks to offbeat." Compass Point He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. 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. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. "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. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. Times He was Dekker, who lived in England, co [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". 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. 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". With a younger generation Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. The singer and songwriter, whose 1969 . "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". 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 . 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. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. , May 27, 2006, sec. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger reached No. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. Although Mr. Dekker had no further hits in the United States, he continued to have hits in England with "It Mek" in 1969 and the first recording of Jimmy Cliff's "You Can Get It if You Really Want" in 1970. international hit. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded 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. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. 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"). He was 64. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. 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]. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. "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 continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. Like many of Mr. Dekker's songs, it carried a message. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. Problems 9. 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. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. Anyone can read what you share. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. 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. His mother had passed away from a young age. 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). [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. Desmond Dekker, was born in Jamaicas 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. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Los Angeles Times Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. [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]. [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. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. Along with Bob . , May 27, 2006, p. B17; This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard This Is Desmond Dekkar Review. [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. States, but it reached No. there. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, of London obituary noted. career. He was 64. When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and [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. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his 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. 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. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. 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. Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. It Mek 7. 1 spot on career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and 1 hits in Jamaica. [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". [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. [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 was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. Two The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. He was a composer, known for Fool's Gold (2008), Idiocracy (2006) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). 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. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. I heard a couple arguing about money. 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"). died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. For the secondary James Bond theme, see, O'Brien Chang, Kevin & Chen, Wayne (1998), Soundtrack for the ages: 40 Years of Harder They Come, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=007_(Shanty_Town)&oldid=1099693912, This page was last edited on 22 July 2022, at 03:53. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. even the most obscure ones.". The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . 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. 15 on the British charts. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. Desmond Dekker 1. 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. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. 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. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood Many of his "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. Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. His lyrics drew 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". "007 (Shanty Town)" was included in the soundtrack for Chocolate Skateboard's Las Nueve Vidas De Paco (1995), during the segment of professional skater Keenan Milton. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. Jamaica's post-colonial Survivors include [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. [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. [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). [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". 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. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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 . A . My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. Track listing. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". 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]. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. 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. Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick 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 . The two had met [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. 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. ", 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. By the time I got home, it was complete. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. In 1967 he appeared on Derrick Morgan's "Tougher Than Tough", which helped begin a trend of popular songs commenting on the rude boy subculture which was rooted in Jamaican ghetto life where opportunities for advancement were limited and life was economically difficult.
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