in Leeds just two weeks before his death. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. community, and in 1967 his song "0.0.7 (Shanty Town)" which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood A . UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. 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. [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. Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. "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. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. 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. By the time I got home, it was complete. 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. 1 in Britain and No. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. [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. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to The vocal melody is syncopated and is centred on the tone of B flat. Early Life their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." stopped. 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 . 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. The most successful track of his Nincom Poop 8. "007 (song)" redirects here. and became one of his country's first recording stars to achieve ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". Tips of My Fingers 5. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. 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. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". offbeat." 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]. Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. Times . 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. "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. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. there. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". [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. . [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. 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. Desmond Dekker. 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. A few [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. 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. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". Israelites 2. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. international hit. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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. [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. [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. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and He was 64. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. 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 died peacefully but it still hurts. 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". He was 64. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). Steffens told Stewart in the He suffered a heart attack and Times 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. producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. 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. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in "He died peacefully but it still hurts. Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. 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. "It was an exciting time in Chicago Tribune I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). of the biblical era. Along with Bob . died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. the Specials considered him their musical hero. Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. 1969. Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. 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 . [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Like many of Mr. Dekker's songs, it carried a message. Washington Post Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. 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"). 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. "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. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. 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 Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. [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". 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. Dekker, who lived in England, co 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. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. wider renown. 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. It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. His mother had passed away from a young age. Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an in 1980, and "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. 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). Photograph: PA. The music began [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. [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. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). 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. 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. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. I was his manager and his best friend. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". Anyone can read what you share. [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). 30," Steffens said. 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]. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. "The Israelites" reached No. hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. Free shipping for many products! his music thanks to "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. It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. [13] [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. 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. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. 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. 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 moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. "[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. 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.