more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late his music thanks to (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. "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. Rock it to me, children. teens had found work as a welder. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. He was community, and in 1967 his song "0.0.7 (Shanty Town)" Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. 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. Chicago Tribune The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several Times 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. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. 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. [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. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. "They know all the words to his songs, [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and version of ska. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. A global million sales was reported in June 1969. Anyone can read what you share. Problems 9. Black and Dekker When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. "Israelites" is a song written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong that became a hit for Dekker's group, Desmond Dekker & The Aces,[2] reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries in 1969. Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. 1 in Jamaica. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits Desmond Dekker in Comanche Park video Sony Records (1994), Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest, "Desmond Dekker - full Official Chart History", "Desmond Dekker Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography", "British certifications Desmond Dekker", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Desmond_Dekker&oldid=1133815021, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Jamaican English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Aubrey Mulrain keyboard player and session musician, Steve Roberts guitarist and session musician (also a member of the British band Dubzone), Stan Samuel guitarist and session musician, Charles Nelson keyboard player and session musician, Delroy Williams Vocals (also featuring guests Winston 'Mr Fix It' Francis and Glenroy Oakley from Greyhound 'Black & White'), Gordon Mulrain bass guitarist and session musician, Learoy Green drums, backing vocals and session musician, Bryan Campbell Keyboard player and session musician, Steve Baker Guitarist, backing vocals, peripatetic guitar teacher and session guitarist. [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. 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. Intensified 4. 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. 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 lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a [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". Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick Singer. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. 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. Roll Call"). The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. 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. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. He was 64. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker Along with Bob . 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. Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. . , May 30, 2006, p. B7. Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. 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! "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. "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. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later Nincom Poop 8. Rude. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". a year later. wider renown. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, He was 64. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. He was 64. 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]. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. Dekker, who lived in England, co Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. 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. Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert [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". Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. 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. 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 was a composer, known for Fool's Gold (2008), Idiocracy (2006) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). offbeat." He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . 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. 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. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. 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. comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and Thomas. Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". I dig you out and you're cool, girl. 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. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe during the summer. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. [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. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. [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". This Is Desmond Dekkar Review. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. It Mek 7. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. He died peacefully but it still hurts. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. Early Life introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall.