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. which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. [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. 2, p. 11; Track Listing - Disc 1 Track Listing - Disc 2 blue highlight denotes track pick Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. 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. producers turned him down before Leslie Kong signed Dekker to his label in Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. 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 . of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. 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! 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). But that song was treated as a novelty. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. of the world. 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 . Times [2], The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was #1 for one week, selling over 250,000 copies. [2] A gold record was presented by Ember Records, the distributors of Dekker's recordings.[2]. He was sold millions of copies, became the first purely Jamaican song to top the died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. 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). 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. [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]. [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". 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 . Me said a it mek - mek you pop yu bitta gall. It took two years before Kong let Dekker record a song, and when he did, With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. Photo Highlights: Protoje takes Hope Gardens A Matter of Time Live, The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 2017. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. His fans included the Beatles, who namechecked him in the lyrics to Dubbed "the King of Ska," Desmond Dekker is one of the key artists in the history of Jamaican music. Two Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". It was his workmates who first noted his vocal talents, as the youngster sang around the workshop. [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". 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. New York Times 1 in Jamaica. Thomas. "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. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. "Israelites" was Dekker's only real hit in the United The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. 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. "They know all the words to his songs, Early Life Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) [1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. comparisons between Jamaica's poor and the beleaguered Israelites Desmond Dekker was born on July 16, 1941. On the 22 August 1970 edition of American top 40, Casey Kasem claimed that Dekker had more than 40 #1 records in Jamaica. Singer. generations of fans. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. 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 performing at London's Brixton Academy in 1985. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. 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. Washington Post [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. "Isrealites" lyrics have long been obscure, but, with the wonder of the internet are now easily available and I have. She was saying she needs money and he was saying the work he was doing was not giving him enough. "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". [2] The single featured Roland Alphonso's "El Torro" on the B-side.[2]. He was 64. suffering even after independence from Britain. "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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. Rude. The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. 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. Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. The Top 14 Jamaican Recipes Searched for by Canadians. A . characterised by a fast, metronomic tempo and a strongly accented [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. there. [2] This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a 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 passed away. Desmond Adolphus Dacres - Born in Saint Andrew Parish Kingston Jamaica 16th July 1941. Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. 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. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. The vocal melody is syncopated and is centred on the tone of B flat. "007 (Shanty Town)" was included in the soundtrack for Chocolate Skateboard's Las Nueve Vidas De Paco (1995), during the segment of professional skater Keenan Milton. 1 in Britain and made him a household name [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. When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". (London), May 27, 2006, p. 70; Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. 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 two had met 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. of London obituary noted. Rock it to me, children. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name [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. The most successful track of his 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. 9 in the United States in 1969. 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. The Harder They Come The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. He suffered a heart attack and Musical It hit #1 in the United Kingdom,[12] the Netherlands, Jamaica, South Africa, Canada, Sweden and West Germany. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died 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. His manager and best friend, Delroy Williams, said he had seen the singer and songwriter the night before and he had seemed fine. "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "007 (Shanty Town)" has been called "the most enduring and archetypal" rude boy song. Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. "Honour Thy Father and Mother" was released in Britain in 1964 on Chris Blackwell's Island label, which would later release Bob Marley's albums. in 1980, and 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). 1 spot on 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. [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. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Privacy Policy & Terms of use. He died on 24 May 2006 in Thornton Heath, London, England, UK. 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. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer whose 1969 hit, "The Israelites," opened up a worldwide audience for reggae, died on Wednesday. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. 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. Times 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. offbeat." Track listing. Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. By the time I got home, it was complete. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. Chicago Tribune "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. 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. He was renowned for his earliest reggae hit internationally 'Israelites.' He died at the age of Sixty Four years. But in 1984 Mr. Dekker declared bankruptcy, blaming his former manager. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter. community, and in 1967 his song "0.0.7 (Shanty Town)" Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica, and began his working life as a welder before turning to singing full-time. 1961. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. 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. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. [9] Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. 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)". The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey yesterday morning. career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and 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. 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. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. He was 64. And the higher ones wanted to bulldoze the whole thing down and do their own thing and the students said no way. Stock Photos from Photos.com, iStockPhotos.com, 123rf. He had 10 studio albums, 25 compilation albums, and 47 singles during his career. The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. Jamaica's post-colonial As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. [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. View their obituary at Legacy.com reached No. 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"). The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. 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]. Dekker, who lived in England, co Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". Desmond Dekker was born on 16 July 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. 15 on the British charts. Survivors include Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. Intensified 4. 2 in the UK charts. Los Angeles Times even the most obscure ones.". The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. [3] Despite this, the single was the first UK reggae #1 and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at #9). 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. [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. ", 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. [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. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. I was his manager and his best friend. I told you once and I told you twice. Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. [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], The original recording of "007" (without the 'Shanty Town') was produced by Leslie Kong and originally released as a single on the Pyramid label. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. A man of many talents, Desmond Adolphus Dacres, a.k.a. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest Steffens told Stewart in the Singer. The music began On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. Photograph: PA. the Jamaican charts. His impact on music, record-company veteran Roger Anyone can read what you share. the Specials considered him their musical hero. 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. 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. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. When Kong died in 1971, Dekker's career faltered, and the hits [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]. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood His mother had passed away from a young age. [3], The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". He died peacefully but it still hurts. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. 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. He moved to the UK in the '70s, later recording the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. 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). "The Israelites" reached No. 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. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. It Mek 7. The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. Several more hits followed, and Dekker became a major The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. "[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. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a "007 (song)" redirects here. [13] He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres, July 16, c. 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica; died of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. "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. Desmond Dekker 1. his co-workers to dare him into auditioning for a record label. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. He returned to the British charts with "Sing a Little Song" in 1975. For Once in My Life (Missing Lyrics) 10. Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. 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. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," he said. 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. Black and Dekker , May 27, 2006, p. B17; considered the genre's first genuine star, but his fame would later 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. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate The musician's popularity waned in the late '70s and '80s, and Dekker was declared bankrupt in 1984. 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. But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. Problems 9. 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. But his success started to wane by the end of the 70s and early 80s and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. 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.