Desmond Dekker

Desmond Dekker

Desmond Dekker (born Desmond Adolphus Dacres; 16 July 1941 - 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. 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 Want" (1970).

Early life
Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. Following his mother's death, he moved to the parish of St. Mary and later to St. Thomas. While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract.

Career
Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. 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. 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. and "Labour for Learning". It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. 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. Dekker then recruited four brothers, Carl, Patrick, Clive and Barry Howard, as his permanent backing vocalists to perform with him under the name Desmond Dekker and the Aces. The new group recorded a number of Jamaican hits, including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". 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, Prepare") and education ("Labour for Learning"). 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. 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)". The song established Dekker as a rude boy icon in Jamaica and also became a favourite dance track for the young working-class men and women of the United Kingdom's mod scene. "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. 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". Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). 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. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music, other than Millie Small, who had a hit with Jamaican style music in 1964. Ironically although he went to worldwide fame his former welding colleague Marley never had a UK number one. 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". 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. 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.

1970s
In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. 2 in the UK chart. Dekker was initially reluctant to record the track but was eventually persuaded to do so by Leslie Kong. Dekker's version uses the same backing track as Cliff's original. 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. 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. In 1975 "Israelites" was re-released and became a UK top 10 hit for a second time. Dekker had also begun working on new material with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. 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.

1980s and later
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 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). 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". Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. Despite declining sales, Dekker remained a popular live performer and continued to tour with The Rumour. Only a single live album was released in the late 1980s. In 1990 "Israelites" was used in a Maxell TV advert that became popular and brought the song and artist back to the attention of the general public. He collaborated with the Specials on the 1993 album, King of Kings, which was released under Desmond Dekker and the Specials. 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. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. In 2003 a reissue of The Harder They Come soundtrack featured "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)". Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny.

Personal life and death
In 1969, Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. In 1984, he was declared bankrupt. 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, and was buried at Streatham Park Cemetery. He was preparing to headline The World Music Festival in Prague. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son Desmond Dekker Jnr and daughter Desrene Dekker.

Tribute band
The 2006 to 2015 line-up for Dekker's backing band, The Aces, who are still performing tribute concerts, includes: Delroy Williams - backing vocals/M.C. Gordon Mulrain - bass guitarist and session musician (Mulrain, also known as "Innerheart", is co-founder of the British record label Ambiel Music) Aubrey Mulrain - keyboard player and session musician Steve Roberts - guitarist and session musician (also a member of the British band Dubzone) Learoy Green - drums and session musician Stan Samuel - guitarist and session musician Charles Nelson - keyboard player and session musician This particular line-up also recorded with Dekker on some of his later studio sessions in the 1990s. The 2016 to present line-up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests: 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 Aubrey Mulrain - keyboard player 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. Also founder and MD of reggae and ska tribute/backing band Zeb Rootz Paul Abraham - guitarist and backing vocals

Compilations (14)

Credits & Appearances (10)

Also Appears On (73)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Tougher Than Tough Various Artists Tougher Than Tough IBXCD 1 CD Island 1958-93 1993
Rough And Tough Various Artists Rough And Tough TJDDD 019 CD Trojan 1960-66 2002
Moon Hop Derrick Morgan Moon Hop TJDDD 099 CD Trojan 1960-69 2003
Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set TRBCD 017 CD Trojan 1960-73 2000
This Is Reggae Music Various Artists This Is Reggae Music TJNBX 254 CD Trojan 1960-75 2005
Forward March & The Best Of Derrick Morgan Forward March & The Best Of DBCDD 104 CD Doctor Bird 1961-69 2022
Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Creole Reggae Box Set TJETD 161 CD Trojan 1964-94 2004
20 Reggae Classics Vol 2 Various Artists 20 Reggae Classics Vol 2 CDTRL 224 CD Trojan 1966-74 1988
Work Your Soul Various Artists Work Your Soul TJDDV 069 CD Trojan 1966-74 2003
Baba Boom ! Various Artists Baba Boom ! TJDDD 175 CD Trojan 1966-75 2004
Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set TJETD 072 CD Trojan 1967-77 2003
Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller Various Artists Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller TJCCD 345 CD Trojan 1967-82 2007
History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 CDTAL 700 CD Trojan 1968-71 1995
Young Gifted And Black Various Artists Young Gifted And Black TJDDD 006 CD Trojan 1968-75 2002
Reggae Chartbusters Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters TBLS 105 LP Trojan 1969 1969
Reggae Chartbusters Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters 2711271 CD Trojan 1969 2009
Copasetic! Various Artists Copasetic! TJDCD 564 CD Trojan 196X 2017
First Class Rock Steady Various Artists First Class Rock Steady VPCD 4205 CD 17 North Parade 196X 2016
Gaz Mayall Presents Top Ska ! Various Artists Gaz Mayall Presents Top Ska ! TJCCD 165 CD Trojan 196X 2004
King Kong Compilation Various Artists King Kong Compilation IRSP 12 LP Island 196X 1981
Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set Vol 2 Various Artists Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set Vol 2 TJETD 287 CD Trojan 196X 2005
Trojan Rocksteady Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rocksteady Box Set TRBCD 003 CD Trojan 196X 1998
Trojan Rude Boy Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rude Boy Box Set TJETD 055 CD Trojan 196X 2002
Trojan Ska Box Set Various Artists Trojan Ska Box Set TRBCD 001 CD Trojan 196X 1998
Trojan Ska Box Set Volume 2 Various Artists Trojan Ska Box Set Volume 2 TRBCD 014 CD Trojan 196X 2000
Trojan Ska Revival Box Set Various Artists Trojan Ska Revival Box Set TJETD 146 CD Trojan 196X 2003
Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 Various Artists Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 TJODD 184 CD Trojan 196X-199X 2004
A Tribute To The Beatles Reggae Style Various Artists A Tribute To The Beatles Reggae Style CDTALL 501 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2001
Monkey Business Various Artists Monkey Business TJDCD 541 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2016
More Monkey Business Various Artists More Monkey Business TJDCD 563 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2017
Ska & Reggae Classics Various Artists Ska & Reggae Classics TJTCD 572 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2018
The Best Of Reggae Various Artists The Best Of Reggae DBCDX 081 CD Doctor Bird 196X-7X 2022
The Story Of Trojan Records Various Artists The Story Of Trojan Records 2775354 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2011
The Trojan Story Various Artists The Trojan Story TRLD 402 LP Trojan 196X-7X 1974
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Trojan Beatles Tribute Box Set Various Artists Trojan Beatles Tribute Box Set TJETD 220 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
Trojan Originals Box Set Various Artists Trojan Originals Box Set TJETD 098 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Records Sampler 2002 Various Artists Trojan Records Sampler 2002 TJPCD 001 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Trojan UK Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan UK Hits Box Set TJETD 010 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
DJ Andy Smith Presents Trojan Document Various Artists DJ Andy Smith Presents Trojan Document TJZCD 317 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2006
Trojan Christmas Box Set Various Artists Trojan Christmas Box Set TJETD 142 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2003
Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set TJETD 262 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2005
Trojan Legends Box Set Various Artists Trojan Legends Box Set TJETD 271 CD Trojan 196X-9X 2005
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 TBL 147 LP Trojan 1970 1970
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 2711331 CD Trojan 1970 2009
The Wonderful World Of Reggae Various Artists The Wonderful World Of Reggae SMFP 1355 LP EMI 1970 1970
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 TBL 169 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 2711939 CD Trojan 1971 2009
Club Reggae Vol 3 Various Artists Club Reggae Vol 3 TBL 178 LP Trojan 1972 1972
From 'Bam-Bam' To 'Cherry Oh! Baby' Various Artists From 'Bam-Bam' To 'Cherry Oh! Baby' DY 3332 LP Dynamic Sounds 1972
Original Reggae Greats Various Artists Original Reggae Greats SHM 786 LP Hallmark 1972 1972
The Harder They Come Jimmy Cliff & Various Artists The Harder They Come ILPS 9202 LP Island 1972 1972
Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 Various Artists Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 TBL 190 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Cactus Classics Vol 2 Various Artists Cactus Classics Vol 2 CT 3021 CD Rhino 1972-81 2001
Reggae Steady Go Vol. 2 Various Artists Reggae Steady Go Vol. 2 SRNN 7002 LP Rhino 1973 1973
Reggae Midnight Rider Various Artists Reggae Midnight Rider PE 822013 LP Pink Elephant 1976 1976
Café Jamaica Various Artists Café Jamaica METRCD 165 CD Union Square Music 197X 2005
DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward Various Artists DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward TJDDD 334 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Here Comes That Feeling Various Artists Here Comes That Feeling TJDDD 140X CD Trojan 197X 2004
Original Reggae Greats Vol 2 Various Artists Original Reggae Greats Vol 2 SHM 827 LP Hallmark 197X 1974
Ranking Miss P Presents Sweet Harmony Various Artists Ranking Miss P Presents Sweet Harmony TJDDD 101 CD Trojan 197X 2003
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 4 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 4 2712801 CD Trojan 197X 2009
Reggae Party Various Artists Reggae Party CD Hallmark 197X
Revolution Rock Various Artists Revolution Rock TJZCD 214 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Selecta Vol 1 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 1 TJJCD 272 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Selecta Vol 3 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 3 TJJCD 322 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Singles Collection Various Artists Trojan Singles Collection CDTRL 367 CD Trojan 197X 1996
Trojan Singles Collection Part 2 Various Artists Trojan Singles Collection Part 2 CDTRL 373 CD Trojan 197X 1996
Trojan Suedehead Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Suedehead Reggae Box Set TJETD 169 CD Trojan 197X 2004
A Place Called Africa Various Artists A Place Called Africa TJDDD 041 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2002
Mastercuts Reggae Various Artists Mastercuts Reggae MCUTCD 01 CD Mastercuts 197X-8X 2005
Rebel Music Vol 2 Various Artists Rebel Music Vol 2 TJCCD 346 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2007
Simply Reggae Various Artists Simply Reggae SIMPLYCD 012 CD Union Square Music 197X-8X 2005
23 albums
10 credits
9 labels
1967 - 2007