Desmond Dekker RIP

Hi,

The sad news of the death of Desmond Dekker has filtered through. He died from a heart attack while sleeping. He was 64.

Desmond was the first real big Jamaican international superstar. He help to path the way for many other Jamaican artists. He was the first Jamaican artist to hit the US top ten and No1 in the UK. His song 'Israellites' helped to put reggae on the world map.

Born Desmond Dacras in 1941, he started as a welder to earn his living. Like many Jamaicans, he fancied a go at singing. This lead to taking his talents to big producers of music in Jamaica in the early 60s. He did try the giants Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid but to no joy. He hit the ground running when he tried Leslie Kong. Leslie ran the Beverley record label. He had Derrick Morgan under his wing. Derrick was one of the big hitters of the day. Music of the day was ska.

In 1963, Desmond released his first record 'Honnor thy Father and Mother'. This proved to be a big hit in Jamaica and was popular in the UK. It even had a UK release. Other singles followed and he hit big will a killer ska tune 'King of Ska'. He had formed a backing band called the Aces who sang on his records. Many other quality ska tunes followed such 'Mount Zion' and 'Get up Edina'. He proved popular in Jamaica and the UK.

But he stepped up a gear when the music turn from Ska to Rockstady to Reggae. Around 1967, 'Rude boy' records were big thing. His release ' 007 (Shanty Town) was a big hit. It made the top 20 in the UK. This gave him a big mod/Skinhead following. His appeal reached out to many others and not just the West Indian communties of the UK. Other tunes such as 'Rudie got soul' followed but it was 1968 that made his international name.

The tune 'Israelites' was recorded. This was a big hit in the US and number 1 in the UK. It helped reggae on the world wide map. His popularity shot up. He toured the UK regularly. Other tunes such as 'It Mek' followed.

Being popular in the UK lead him to move here by the early 70s. He also had a international hit with the Jimmy Cliff tune , You can get it if you really want'. His was released during a golden age for UK reggae chart hits.

Wheels bagan to wobble on his wagon when his producer, Leslie Kong, died. He still toured but didn't have any hits until the mid 70s. He popped up with tunes throughout the rest of 70s. By the late 70s, he was recording for Stiff records. Helped by the Two Tone movement, he was back in fashion. He was in demand touring. He did hit hard time when he was made bankrupt in the mid 80s.

All was not lost. His tune, Israelittes was used by Maxell in a popular tv ad. He also worked with members of the Specials in the 90s. Vitalite spread also used the Israelitte tune for a popular ad. This has lead to Desmond being a popular concert draw, touring the world.

As a Jamaican music fan, this is a sad lost. He did help to put it on the world map.

Desmond Dekker RIP.