The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. But that song was treated as a novelty. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. 1972 film Paul McCartney slipped Mr. Dekker's first name into the lyrics to the Beatles' ska song, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," on "The Beatles" (also known as the White Album) in 1968, the year Mr. Dekker moved to England. Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. 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. their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." of the world. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. A global million sales was reported in June 1969. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. "It was an exciting time in Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. version of ska. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. 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 . [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and the Jamaican charts. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Two He died peacefully but it still hurts. 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. Following his mother's death, he moved to the parish of St. Mary and later to St. international hit. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, reached No. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking He often sang on the job, which prompted UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. I heard a couple arguing about money. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. I told you once and I told you twice. [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate 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. 2 in the UK charts. 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. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Chicago Tribune Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. 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 lived for his music and his children. ", 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. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . "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. Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. offbeat." Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. 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. "[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. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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. Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was 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. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. 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. This Is Desmond Dekkar Review. Free shipping for many products! "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. I was his manager and his best friend. "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. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, 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). He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. [2] Too Much Too Soon 6. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". 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. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". 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. 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. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". The two had met He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the [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. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. LONDON (AP) - Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska music to the world with hits such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University.