Desmond Dekker

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Desmond Dekker (b.July 16, 1941. d.May 25, 2006), was a Jamaican ska and reggae singer and songwriter. Together with his backing group, The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had the first international Jamaican hit, Israelites. Other hits include 007 (Shanty Town) (1967) and It Mek (1968). Before the ascent of Bob Marley, Dekker was the best-known Jamaican musician outside of his country, and one of the most popular within it.

Early days

He was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in St. Andrew, Jamaica and grew up in Kingston, where he attended the Alpha Boys’ School. After his mother took ill and died, his father moved him to St. Mary’s, and then to St. Thomas, where he apprenticed as a tailor before returning to Kingston and taking a job as a welder, singing around his workplace while his co-workers encouraged him. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither were impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong’s Beverley record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label’s biggest star.

Early recording career

With Morgan’s support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963 because Leslie Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song, which “Honour Your Father and Mother” was felt to be.

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Popular tags: ska, reggae, rocksteady, jamaica, roots reggae  See more

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• Israelites
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• Israelites: The Best Of Desmond Dekker
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• Rudy Got Soul: The Early Beverley's Sessions…
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• Gold
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1		Israelites			578
2		007 (Shanty Town)			422
3		You Can Get It If You Really Want			336
4		Beautiful And Dangerous			133
5		It Mek			126
6		Unity			113
7		The Israelites			111
8		Pickney Gal			106
9		Sabotage			77
10		Rude Boy Train			73
11		Shanty town			72
12		Honour Your Mother And Father			70
13		Get Up Edina			68
14		Mother Pepper			62
15		King Of Ska			58

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