of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. 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. 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"). 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. And the higher ones wanted to bulldoze the whole thing down and do their own thing and the students said no way. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. [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. [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. The Harder They Come In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own Desmond Dekker 1. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. 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. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. Free shipping for many products! suffering even after independence from Britain. Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. "[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. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and Born July 16, 1941 Died May 24, 2006 (64) Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list Known for Fool's Gold 5.7 Too Much Too Soon 6. But that song was treated as a novelty. 1 in Britain and made him a household name The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. [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]. He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. 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. 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. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and [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 (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. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". Musical He lived for his music and his children. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. 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. 1972 film 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)". Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. I was his manager and his best friend. States, but it reached No. He died peacefully but it still hurts. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. 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. 15 on the British charts. "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. Desmond Dekker passed away. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. Several more hits followed, and Dekker became a major Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his a year later. "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. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. 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. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . [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". Los Angeles Times "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. With a younger generation A global million sales was reported in June 1969. 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. considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. 1 in Jamaica. "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. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. wider renown. Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. Steffens told Stewart in the 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. 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. 9 in the United States in 1969. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. 30," Steffens said. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". the Jamaican charts. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. 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). 1 in Britain and No. 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. given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the career. [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. 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. It was taken from an album of similar re-recordings of his old hits, Black & Dekker. "007 (song)" redirects here. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Previously divorced, he was 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. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. 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"). 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. Many of his His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. "He died peacefully but it still hurts. reached No. "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. 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's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. Thomas. [2] Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. Search instead in Creative? In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented Incudes 'Israelites', '007 (Shanty Town)', 'It Miek', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' and 'Sing a Litte Song'. 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. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. 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! Jamaican Ska Star Desmond Dekker Dies - Billboard The Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Los Angeles Times 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. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [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. teens had found work as a welder. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 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 . Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. in 1980, and Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. 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. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. [3] In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". Problems 9. Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert 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. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. there. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. [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. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. 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. 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. It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. Chicago Tribune pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. born in 1941 or 1942. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. I dig you out and you're cool, girl. Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. of London obituary noted. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. [13] [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. 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. [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. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. The most successful track of his years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. , May 27, 2006, p. A11; This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". The two had met Following his mother's death, he moved to the parish of St. Mary and later to St. Along with Bob . Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded Privacy Policy & Terms of use. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. stopped. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. View their obituary at Legacy.com The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. By the time I got home, it was complete. It's Not Easy 3. The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." 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. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. 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]. [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]. [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". 1 hits in Jamaica. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. 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. even the most obscure ones.". [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. [1] Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up . Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was The song is a lament of this condition. [3], Only a single live album was released in the late '80s. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. 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. Desmond Dekker was the first to have hit records outside of Jamaica and his influence on young white British teenagers was pivotal to his success in the 1960s. He continued to tour regularly; his final concert was on May 11 at Leeds University. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. generations of fans. He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. 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. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. 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. Intensified 4. 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. A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." offbeat." 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"). He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. Rude. 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. He was Los Angeles Times Times [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. 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. , May 27, 2006, sec. career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. 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". By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. [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. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. The music began "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. Survivors include You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a 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 song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, [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.
