Steffens told Stewart in the Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [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. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, 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. He often sang on the job, which prompted I dig you out and you're cool, girl. At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. Desmond Dekker 1. 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. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. 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"). 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. 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. 1961. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. . I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. Two Singer. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. With a younger generation Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in He died peacefully but it still hurts. 2, p. 11; He suffered a heart attack and of the island," wrote [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. In 1962 "Judge Not" and "One Cup Of Coffee" became the first recorded efforts of Marley, who retained gratitude, respect and admiration for Dekker for the rest of his life. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. Along with Bob . Track listing. 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. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. I was his manager and his best friend. Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". 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. 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. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. of the biblical era. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. [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". characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. 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. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He was After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. 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. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest Photograph: PA. Tips of My Fingers 5. 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. [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". He was 64. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. 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. 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. 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 won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. [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 fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to "007 (song)" redirects here. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." . tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. Nincom Poop 8. "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. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. [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. "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. The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. reached No. 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. their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. version of ska. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Many of his 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. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. His mother had passed away from a young age. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. "[3] According to the liner notes for the Dekker compilation album Rockin' Steady The Best of Desmond Dekker the phrase was also used as a schoolyard taunt roughly meaning "that's what you get." Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. the Specials considered him their musical hero. [3] In Dekker's words: "The students had a demonstration and it went all the way around to Four Shore Road and down to Shanty Town. On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo a year later. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. "[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. 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. died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. The two had met "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. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. He was 64. generations of fans. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "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. 2 in the UK charts. Problems 9. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. Anyone can read what you share. Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . 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. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Survivors include [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. Search instead in Creative? From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. "They know all the words to his songs, Rude. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". [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. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several I heard a couple arguing about money. 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. By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." Desmond Dekker, who has died of a heart attack aged 64 in Surrey, was one of the first Jamaican vocalists to make a significant impact outside the land of his birth. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, 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 star was divorced with a son and daughter. Jamaica's post-colonial 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. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. career. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United Chicago Tribune Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; , May 30, 2006, p. B7. [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. 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. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. born in 1941 or 1942. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. Too Much Too Soon 6. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker Dekker, who lived in England, co He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". ", 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. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. 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. Compass Point charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. It's Not Easy 3. 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 . The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". [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. Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. 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. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. 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. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "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.
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