Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. Home | DESMOND DEKKER Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. 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. 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! [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. [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still 15 on the British charts. Although newcomers should be directed to Trojan's 1997 best-of, The Original Rude Boy, among the many retrospectives, fans of Dekker and original Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and founding reggae are well served by this narrowly focused CD. [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. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger It's Not Easy 3. Early Life 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 A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. teens had found work as a welder. 1 in Britain and made him a household name made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo 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. Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was 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. Desmond Dekker Biography - name, wife, mother, son, born, movie, time 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. considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later 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. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. The Top 10 Desmond Dekker Songs - Jamaicans.com He often sang on the job, which prompted Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). 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". May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. Search instead in Creative? 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. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. 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. Los Angeles Times He died peacefully but it still hurts. "[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. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. 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". Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. States, but it reached No. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. A . [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. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. 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. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. 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. He was (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. 007: The Best of Desmond Dekker - AllMusic . journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. "Israelites" w/Lyrics- Desmond Dekker and the Aces - YouTube Thomas. Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. "The Israelites" reached No. 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). He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. the Jamaican charts. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, Tips of My Fingers 5. Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". 1 hits in Jamaica. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. 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. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. reached No. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. 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. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. "They know all the words to his songs, It Mek 7. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . Desmond Dekker Biography, Life, Interesting Facts - Famous Birthdays By Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a It Mek - Wikipedia On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "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 lived for his music and his children. [1] By 1967, the only remaining members were Barry Howard and Winston Samuels and it was their backing vocals that featured on Dekker's track, "Israelites". Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. The star was divorced with a son and daughter. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. Problems 9. By the time I got home, it was complete. Many of his Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. Los Angeles Times [13] "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. 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). His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, Intensified - Wikipedia suffering even after independence from Britain. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits 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). "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. Too Much Too Soon 6. 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. Intensified 4. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Reggae legend Desmond Dekker dies He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 1 spot on It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. 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. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe during the summer. A few 1961. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. "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. 30," Steffens said. Desmond Dekker - Israelites (Official Music Video) - YouTube 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. born in 1941 or 1942. [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". He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. Originally issued in Jamaica as "Poor Me Israelites",[7] it remains the best known Jamaican reggae hit to reach the United States Hot 100's top 10,[5] and was written almost two years after Dekker first made his mark with the rude boy song "007 (Shanty Town)". Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. Desmond Dekker - Cultural Jamaican Musical Talisman - uDiscover Music Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Times I was his manager and his best friend. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded of the biblical era. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". I heard a couple arguing about money. Desmond Dekker - Rate Your Music Israelites (song) - Wikipedia "He died peacefully but it still hurts. Roll Call"). My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. 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. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. [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. Compass Point Singer. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. 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. "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. [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. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". Rude. His mother had passed away from a young age. Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 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. 1972 film Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. 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. 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. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. Dekker wrote the song after watching news coverage of a student demonstration against government plans to build an industrial complex on land close to the beach, which descended into violence. "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 an exciting time in Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood Los Angeles Times Reggae pioneer Desmond Dekker dies, aged 64 - the Guardian You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. Desmond Dekker | Reggae | The Guardian their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. Reggae legend, Dekker, dies - The New York Times "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". Photograph: PA. 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. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. 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 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. 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"). Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Desmond Dekker passed away. Dekker, who lived in England, co introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Anyone can read what you share. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Obituary: Desmond Dekker In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. He suffered a heart attack and What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. 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] 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). Rock it to me, children. international hit. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. His lyrics drew UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. Desmond Dekker Obituary (2006) - Legacy of the world. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under