Remembering the King of Ska and Rocksteady Desmond Dekker
His international breakthrough came in 1969 with the release of “Israelites.” This track reached the top of the charts in the UK and made the top ten in the United States, making Dekker one of the first Jamaican artists to achieve significant global success
Remembering the King of Ska and Rocksteady Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker, was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16, 1941, in Kingston, Jamaica. Raised in a working-class family, Dekker’s early life was marked by hardship, which would later influence the themes of his music. His father, a tailor, passed away when Dekker was a teenager, prompting him to find work as a welder. It was during these years that his passion for music began to take shape.
Dekker’s entry into the music industry came in the early 1960s. After initially struggling to break into the scene, he was eventually signed by Leslie Kong of Beverley’s record label in 1961. His first single, “Honour Your Mother and Father,” was released in 1963 and found moderate success. However, it was his subsequent recordings that catapulted him to fame.
In 1967, Dekker released “007 (Shanty Town),” a song that addressed the struggles and violence of life in Kingston’s ghettos. The song became a massive hit in Jamaica and established Dekker as a major figure in the burgeoning ska and rocksteady genres. His international breakthrough came in 1969 with the release of “Israelites.” This track reached the top of the charts in the UK and made the top ten in the United States, making Dekker one of the first Jamaican artists to achieve significant global success.
The 1970s saw Dekker continuing to release music, though the advent of reggae and changing musical tastes posed challenges. Despite this, he remained a beloved figure in the Jamaican music scene. He moved to the UK in the early 1970s, where he continued to perform and record. Notable hits from this period include “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Sing a Little Song.”
As the years went by, Dekker’s influence waned in the face of newer reggae stars, but his contributions to ska and rocksteady continued to be celebrated. In the 1980s and 1990s, he experienced a resurgence of interest, particularly among fans of the ska revival movement. Dekker’s music was reissued, and he performed at various festivals and concerts, introducing his classic hits to new generations of fans.
Desmond Dekker’s life was marked by his deep connection to Jamaica and its culture, even as he spent much of his later years in the UK. He faced financial difficulties at times but remained a respected and influential figure in the music world.
Dekker passed away on May 25, 2006, in Thornton Heath, London, at the age of 64. The cause of death was a heart attack. His death was a significant loss to the music community, but his legacy endures through his pioneering work in ska and rocksteady.
As one of the first Jamaican artists to achieve international stardom, he paved the way for countless others. His songs, characterized by their catchy rhythms and poignant lyrics, such as “Israelites” and “007 (Shanty Town)” remain timeless classics that capture the spirit of their era while continuing to inspire new listeners.
Watch Desmond Dekker performing his signature song “Israelites” in 1969
Watch more 1980’s related videos
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.
