desmond dekker daughter

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"). celebrity on the island and throughout the Caribbean. 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. [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. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. Problems 9. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still Dekker still performed regularly, and gave what would be his final concert Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. He was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae singer. 1972 film and became one of his country's first recording stars to achieve 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. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate Free shipping for many products! 1961. (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. "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. career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". He briefly had an apprenticeship as a tailor before working as a welder. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. Singer. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. "The Israelites" reached No. 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 . "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. Times 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. Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". [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". 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. more rural part of the island, but returned to Kingston and by his late 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"). His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". Compass Point Desmond Dekker performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. "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. Steffens told Stewart in the of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Desmond Dekker, who has died of a heart attack aged 64 in Surrey, was one of the first Jamaican vocalists to make a significant impact outside the land of his birth. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Musical "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe during the summer. Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a [2] [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. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. ", He added: "I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly.". , May 27, 2006, p. B17; A string of Jamaican hits followed, including "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. 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. "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Anyone can read what you share. He was 64. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. 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. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. Rude. , May 30, 2006, p. B7. Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. [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". , May 27, 2006, sec. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 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. 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. jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. Mr Williams described the singer as a private person who would go back to Jamaica from time to time but only to see his family rather than to perform: "He wasn't out there like other stars partying all the time, he just did his job. [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". [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. Rock it to me, children. 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"). Nincom Poop 8. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. 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. Tips of My Fingers 5. his music thanks to 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. Los Angeles Times 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]. Two "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. A global million sales was reported in June 1969. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [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). 1 hits in Jamaica. "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. Photograph: PA. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. 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. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". [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]. Los Angeles Times [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. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest 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)". It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. "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. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom.[2]. Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. Privacy Policy & Terms of use. I heard a couple arguing about money. Copyright Simbis Inc.All rights reserved. comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites Many of his career. 15 on the British charts. You got wildlife and thing like that because it down near the beach. He often sang on the job, which prompted He was a composer, known for Fool's Gold (2008), Idiocracy (2006) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). He recorded an album called Black & Dekker (1980), which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band and Akrylykz (featuring Roland Gift, later of Fine Young Cannibals). He died peacefully but it still hurts. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, of the biblical era. His 1960's songs used the upbeat ska rhythm, a precursor to reggae also known as bluebeat. a year later. Desmond Dekker 1. By the time I got home, it was complete. ", 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. 30," Steffens said. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. The song is a lament of this condition. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under their ska-inflected hit "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." Later that decade, however, there was a revival of interest in Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . reached No. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. With a younger generation Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. introduced Marley to the record label executives who shaped his own best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name It Mek 7. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. UK reissue of this two CD collection by the Reggae/Ska legend. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger 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. [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "007 (song)" redirects here. [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. 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 The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. 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 told you once and I told you twice. 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). Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. 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. Dekker, who lived in England, co 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. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. 2 in the UK charts. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, [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. A few 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. born in 1941 or 1942. 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. "Honour Your Father and Mother" reached the No. When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. 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. LONDON (AP) - Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska music to the world with hits such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Los Angeles Times 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]. 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. Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. 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. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. [3] Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. 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. What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". His 1980 album, "Black and Dekker," featured members of a venerable Jamaican band, the Pioneers, and Graham Parker's band, the Rumour. "[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." It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. be eclipsed by another Jamaican, reggae artist Bob Marley. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. 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. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. Survivors include Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. of London obituary noted. It hit #1 in the United Kingdom,[12] the Netherlands, Jamaica, South Africa, Canada, Sweden and West Germany. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/arts/music/27dekker.html. 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 resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. The two had met When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". [2] Dekker composed the song after overhearing an argument: "I was walking in the park, eating popcorn. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. 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. 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. In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, Times 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. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. the Jamaican charts. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. The rhythm had been featured by Anthony B in 2008 on The Pow Pow Trilogy, ("Time For The Love"). 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. pioneer Desmond Dekker dominated Jamaica's pop charts in the 1960s, [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 last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. But while Mr. Dekker kept up a busy performing career, the death of Mr. Kong in 1971 ended his streak of hits. generations of fans. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). Washington Post stopped. Genres: Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae. 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. [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]. I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' there. of the island," wrote 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. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. 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. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Dekker became associated with bluebeat, a more uptempo Mr. Dekker's songs were rediscovered, and he was signed by Madness's label, Stiff Records. years later the track became the signature song for the groundbreaking lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a