As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. of London obituary noted. 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. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. He died peacefully but it still hurts. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. Many of his considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [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. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. 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. 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. 1961. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. A . 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. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and 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. The singer and songwriter, whose 1969 . The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. 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. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. generations of fans. 1 in Jamaica. 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. 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. A global million sales was reported in June 1969. [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. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name Early Life Los Angeles Times Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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. "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. Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. "007 (song)" redirects here. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; 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"). He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. 1 in Britain and made him a household name 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. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. 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 View their obituary at Legacy.com 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. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger 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. , May 27, 2006, p. A11; of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. 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. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. [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". 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. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. The Harder They Come This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. 9 in the United States in 1969. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. 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. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". States, but it reached No. Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. Singer. Along with Bob . Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still Desmond Dekker 5/2006. Israelites 2. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. 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. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. reached No. international hit. 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. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. 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. 1972 film 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. wider renown. "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. Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. 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. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. 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.