Follow us and share your results!
About Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician who performed ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. He died on May 25, 2006.
“Israelites” was one of the first worldwide Jamaican singles he had with his backup band, The Aces, who also included Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard. “It Miek” (1969) and “007 (Shanty Town)” (1967) are examples of other hits.
Dekker was one of Jamaica’s most well-liked musicians before Bob Marley’s rise to fame, as well as one of the most well-known musicians internationally.
His story in short
Desmond Dekker, despite securing a record deal, had to wait two years before his first record was released. During this time, he noticed the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and introduced him to the music producer Leslie Kong. In 1962, Bob Marley’s first recorded songs, “Judge Not” and “One Cup Of Coffee,” were released, and Marley always held deep gratitude and respect for Dekker. In 1963, Dekker’s song “Honour Your Mother and Father” became a hit in Jamaica, marking the start of his musical career.
Dekker formed a group called Desmond Dekker and the Aces, and they recorded several Jamaican hits, touching on themes such as respect for parents, religious morality, and education in their songs. In 1967, Dekker’s song “007 (Shanty Town)” made him a rude boy icon in Jamaica and a favorite among the UK’s mod scene. He continued to release both rude boy tracks and mainstream cultural songs in the following years.
In 1968, Dekker’s “Israelites” achieved worldwide fame, reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart and the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100. This success contrasted with Bob Marley’s career in the UK. In the 1970s, Dekker released “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and worked on new material, including the release of “Sing a Little Song” in 1975.
During the 1980s, he signed with Stiff Records, releasing albums and re-recorded versions of his hits. In 1990, his song “Israelites” gained popularity again through a Maxell TV advert. He collaborated with The Specials on the 1993 album “King of Kings” and continued to perform live. His music also appeared in various compilations and remixes over the years.
