The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. [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. [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. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Desmond Dekker passed away. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. "[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." Track listing. By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. teens had found work as a welder. stopped. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. He was Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. . He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . . 30," Steffens said. It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. 2 in the UK charts. "The Israelites" reached No. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger Anyone can read what you share. 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. 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. Intensified 4. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Los Angeles Times Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Paul McCartney slipped Mr. Dekker's first name into the lyrics to the Beatles' ska song, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," on "The Beatles" (also known as the White Album) in 1968, the year Mr. Dekker moved to England. 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. Roll Call"). [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. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). Times My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. Early Life From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Nincom Poop 8. "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. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. He lived for his music and his children. , May 27, 2006, sec. 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. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. his music thanks to Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. "It was an exciting time in Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. He was 64. 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"). Desmond Dekker 5/2006. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. The vocal melody is syncopated and is centred on the tone of B flat. 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]. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. 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. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. By the time I got home, it was complete. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. 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. 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". At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. The 2006 to 2015 line-up for Dekker's backing band, The Aces, who are still performing tribute concerts, includes: This particular line-up also recorded with Dekker on some of his later studio sessions in the 1990s. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Incudes 'Israelites', '007 (Shanty Town)', 'It Miek', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' and 'Sing a Litte Song'. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music [3], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. Israelites 2. 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. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". Los Angeles Times Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. Rude. New York Times States, but it reached No. 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. 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. pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, "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. 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. He often sang on the job, which prompted generations of fans. [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". [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]. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. 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. 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 there. 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. [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. Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in 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. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. Search instead in Creative? 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! [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]. I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' [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. Several more hits followed, and Dekker became a major But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". in Leeds just two weeks before his death. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. 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. 1 in Britain and made him a household name 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. Singer. Too Much Too Soon 6. 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. the Jamaican charts. He was 64. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. 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. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United Reggae singer Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. Tips of My Fingers 5. considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later 1961. It's Not Easy 3. The star was divorced with a son and daughter. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. He was 64. I told you once and I told you twice. [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. their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. Dekker, who lived in England, co And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. Thomas. When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. He suffered a heart attack and Musical his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking "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. Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. [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. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. [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". Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. It Mek 7. 2, p. 11; died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. 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. of the island," wrote [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. Compass Point UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, [2] This Is Desmond Dekkar Review. reached No. Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. 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. "[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. 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 . [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. born in 1941 or 1942. Times of London obituary noted. 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. Steffens told Stewart in the A . of the world. "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. [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). Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. 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 . Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. The singer and songwriter, whose 1969 . 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. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an 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 died peacefully but it still hurts. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. Los Angeles Times 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 . Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. 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. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. [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. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. With a younger generation 1 spot on He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. , May 27, 2006, p. A11; By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. 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. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. 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. offbeat." [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 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.