Desmond Dekker passed away. reached No. Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. 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. Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. 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. generations of fans. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Singer. In the 1960s, Jamaican Rastafarians were largely marginalized as "cultish" and ostracized from the larger society, including by the more conservative Christian church in Kingston. Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. [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. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." 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. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Thomas. Several more hits followed, and Dekker became a major Rock it to me, children. 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. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. 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"). Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. 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. 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 . [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]. Rude. of the biblical era. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). By the time I got home, it was complete. 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. 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. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. 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. 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. By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. 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. Survivors include Washington Post But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. [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. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 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 initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Singer. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969. 1 in Britain and No. Track listing. It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, 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. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. the Specials considered him their musical hero. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still 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. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. 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. offbeat." 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. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. The music began [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . 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. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. "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. 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. [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". "007 (song)" redirects here. View their obituary at Legacy.com 30," Steffens said. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. "It was an exciting time in the Jamaican charts. 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. 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. 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. 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. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. 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]. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own A global million sales was reported in June 1969. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. He was [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood 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)". He lived for his music and his children. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. 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. The song is a lament of this condition. 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. [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. Tips of My Fingers 5. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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. . He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, Nincom Poop 8. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. Compass Point By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. 1961. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. stopped. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. "[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." Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to Many of his "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. Los Angeles Times pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, even the most obscure ones.". Privacy Policy & Terms of use. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. He often sang on the job, which prompted The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' 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. 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. 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. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate The two had met He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. 2 in the UK charts. [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. 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. ", 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. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. 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. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. 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. His lyrics drew A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. 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]. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. Times [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. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. [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]. [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". of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. But that song was treated as a novelty. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. his music thanks to Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died 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. 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. Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. born in 1941 or 1942. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941.