Jamaica's post-colonial (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; And the higher ones wanted to bulldoze the whole thing down and do their own thing and the students said no way. 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. 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. 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. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. He was Washington Post "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. Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. "007 (song)" redirects here. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. sold millions of copies, became the first purely Jamaican song to top the 2 in the UK charts. Desmond Dekker 1. 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. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, 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. 1 in Britain and No. 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. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. View their obituary at Legacy.com Black and Dekker 1 hits in Jamaica. "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. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. 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. I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". 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. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". The song would return to the British charts in 1975 and was reissued as a single after being used in a commercial for Maxell recording tape in 1990. there. Roll Call"). their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. 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. of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. teens had found work as a welder. suffering even after independence from Britain. It's Not Easy 3. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. He was a composer, known for Fool's Gold (2008), Idiocracy (2006) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). of London obituary noted. 1961. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). [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. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. [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. 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. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits 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". He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. 1 spot on By the 1980s, he was signed to Stiff Records and his music created a short-term revival of ska, but he was bankrupt by 1984. 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. 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. Singer. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. of the world. "It was an exciting time in Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Dekker, who lived in England, co A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. The singer and songwriter, whose 1969 . May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. Early Life My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and 2, p. 11; "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. 9 in the United States in 1969. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. It Mek 7. Photograph: PA. By the time I got home, it was complete. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. With a younger generation 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. [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 in Jamaica. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in The song is a lament of this condition. Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. international hit. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. But that song was treated as a novelty. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. "He died peacefully but it still hurts. 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. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. Steffens told Stewart in the On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. [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). His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. 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). Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. "[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. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. Tips of My Fingers 5. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Intensified 4. "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Times Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo [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. [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. 15 on the British charts. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. 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"). . "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. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. [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". Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. Jamaican Spiced Easter Bun Recipe: Kerri-Anns 9 Side Dishes Jamaicans Serve with Jerk Chicken, The 6 Soups Every Jamaican Should Know How to Cook. The two had met lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a The star was divorced with a son and daughter. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking 30," Steffens said. [1] Dekker's international success led to him touring overseas, although The Aces did not accompany him due to Samuels refusal to fly (Samuels stating that "Rastas did not fly on iron birds") and Barry Howard's decision to emigrate to the United States. Too Much Too Soon 6. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. [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". Survivors include be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. 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 added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Los Angeles Times [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. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. 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 died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. The Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded [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. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. He suffered a heart attack and It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. A series of songs including "Rude Boy Train" and "Rudie Got Soul" made Mr. Dekker a hero of Jamaica's rough urban "rude boy" culture. expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and 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. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. 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. 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. [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. 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. version of ska. [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. Los Angeles Times He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. wider renown. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. 1 in Britain and made him a household name The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". Many of his His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. Rude. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Problems 9. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. reached No. New York Times generations of fans. 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. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. 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)". What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. Chicago Tribune the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest He often sang on the job, which prompted Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969. comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. 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"). tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. A . Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. Israelites 2. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. The Harder They Come Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Compass Point 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. In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. [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. Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard 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. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. 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. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". 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. his music thanks to "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. Musical 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. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. [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. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. He lived for his music and his children. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. It hit #1 in the United Kingdom,[12] the Netherlands, Jamaica, South Africa, Canada, Sweden and West Germany.
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