They provided the backing vocals on Dekker's major hit "007 (Shanty Town)" as well as the track "Music Like Dirt (Intensified '68)" (the winning song of the 1968 Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest). 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. View their obituary at Legacy.com 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. 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. Dekker, who lived in England, co With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. Survivors include In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. 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. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. 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)". [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". 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). "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. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. "007 (song)" redirects here. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. of London obituary noted. 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. Incudes 'Israelites', '007 (Shanty Town)', 'It Miek', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' and 'Sing a Litte Song'. generations of fans. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. "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. The British hitmaker Robert Palmer produced Mr. Dekker's next album, "Compass Point," in 1981. hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. The the Specials considered him their musical hero. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and the Jamaican charts. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". Notable groups who have covered "007 (Shanty Town)" include: The song has been sampled by Special Ed ("I'm the Magnificent") and Shaggy ("Bonafide Girl"). He was 64. 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. "[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. [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. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Desmond Dekker. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. 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. Several more hits followed, and Dekker became a major He died peacefully but it still hurts. Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard Los Angeles Times From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Jamaican patois, helped make his 1969 song "Israelites" an Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. 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! of the world. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. He was 64. 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. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. 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 Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. 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], Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. 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. 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. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick At the time of his death, he was preparing as the headliner of a world music festival in Prague. 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. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. His mother had passed away from a young age. be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. [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". He lived for his music and his children. 1 in Jamaica. The song's title is Jamaican patois meaning "that's why" or "that's the reason. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. 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. 2, p. 11; Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. . Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. 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. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. 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. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. Compass Point His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. of the island," wrote Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert "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. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. teens had found work as a welder. released the song "You Can Get It If You Really Want." A . Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. 1969. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later 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. He was 64. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). It's Not Easy 3. Washington Post The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). [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. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. [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. 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. 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". , May 27, 2006, p. A11; Many of his He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. Musical 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. 1972 film 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. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. Black and Dekker 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. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". Search instead in Creative? [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. 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. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. version of ska. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. born in 1941 or 1942. "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. When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". 1961. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a 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. 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. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented 1 hits in Jamaica. [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. [13] The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". 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. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Times 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. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. 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], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died By 1970 Dekker was living in England, but still worked steadily with Kong. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. [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. 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. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. "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.