But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. stopped. offbeat." When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits 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. Black and Dekker Times A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. 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]. The music began The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to 1 hits in Jamaica. 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. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. 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. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. 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. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. and became one of his country's first recording stars to achieve 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. Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert The most successful track of his He was 64. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. 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 often sang on the job, which prompted Following his mother's death, he moved to the parish of St. Mary and later to St. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker Many of his of the island," wrote Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. Los Angeles Times 9 in the United States in 1969. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. He suffered a heart attack and [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. Thomas. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. 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]. It's Not Easy 3. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Desmond Dekker passed away. 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". the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and 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. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." Desmond Dekker 1. 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 related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' He was 64. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Tips of My Fingers 5. Survivors include Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own He was He lived for his music and his children. [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. 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. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". 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 . Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded The two had met Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969. "007 (Shanty Town)" was included in the soundtrack for Chocolate Skateboard's Las Nueve Vidas De Paco (1995), during the segment of professional skater Keenan Milton. Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. [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". With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. An instrumental figure in the development of ska and its slightly mellower cousin, rocksteady, Dekker was also one the first reggae performers to break big in the U.K., laying the groundwork for that country's late 1970s 2 Tone movement. 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. 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 But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. Singer. sold millions of copies, became the first purely Jamaican song to top the The Two I heard a couple arguing about money. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. "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 continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. [13] It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. the Specials considered him their musical hero. Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. 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). Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. Too Much Too Soon 6. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. 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 . A . in 1980, and [4] It combined the Rastafarian religion with rude boy concerns,[5] to make what has been described as a "timeless masterpiece that knew no boundaries".[6]. You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. 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. producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in 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. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. of the world. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and 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! Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. 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. expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. Chicago Tribune He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). 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. Israelites 2. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." His lyrics drew Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. 1961. of London obituary noted. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". 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. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. [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. comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. Steffens told Stewart in the [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. 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"). I dig you out and you're cool, girl. 2 in the UK charts. 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. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. "007 (song)" redirects here. hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under 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. And the higher ones wanted to bulldoze the whole thing down and do their own thing and the students said no way. I told you once and I told you twice. By the time I got home, it was complete. He died peacefully but it still hurts. It Mek 7. I was his manager and his best friend. . 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. Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. [6] Dekker also released "Problems" and "Pickney Gal", both of which were popular in Jamaica, although only "Pickney Gal" managed to chart in the UK top 50.[3]. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, With a younger generation released the song "You Can Get It If You Really Want." international hit. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. 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. 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. Musical 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. The singer and songwriter, whose 1969 . 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 Singer. 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. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). Search instead in Creative? Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. He was 64. 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. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 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. Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. 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. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. career. Along with Bob . An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. States, but it reached No. [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. Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. He was 64. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. Dekker's own songs did not go to the extremes of many other popular rude boy songs, which reflected the violence and social problems associated with ghetto life, though he did introduce lyrics that resonated with the rude boys, starting with one of his best-known songs, "007 (Shanty Town)". He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. 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. 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. 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. 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. even the most obscure ones.". of the biblical era. suffering even after independence from Britain. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "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. [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.