warpedskydiver 0 #1 May 28, 2006 Jamaican Ska Great Desmond Dekker Dies By Associated Press Fri May 26, 6:14 AM This is a July 21, 2001 Jamaican reggae star ... LONDON - Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska music to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. He was 64. Dekker, who lived in England, collapsed from an apparent heart attack at his home on Thursday, manager Delroy Williams said. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," Williams said. Dekker's 1969 song "Israelites," a Top 10 single in both Britain and the United States, was the first international hit produced by Jamaica's vibrant music scene. With its haunting vocals and irresistible rhythm, it introduced the world to ska, a precursor to reggae. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not," Williams said. "When he released 'Israelites' nobody had heard of Bob Marley _ he paved the way for all of them." Born Desmond Dacres in 1941, Dekker worked as a welder in Kingston before signing with Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and releasing his first single, "Honor Your Father and Your Mother," in 1963. It was followed by Jamaican hits including "King of Ska." Some of his most popular songs celebrated the culture of violent street toughs, or "rude boys" _ "Rude Boy Train," "Rudie Got Soul" and "007 (Shanty Town)," which featured on the soundtrack of the seminal Jamaican film "The Harder They Come." He also had a hit with "You Can Get It If You Really Want," written by his label-mate Jimmy Cliff. The songs made Dekker a hero of British youth, and he moved to the country in the 1970s. Dekker's career suffered after the 1971 death of his mentor Kong, and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. But he retained a strong British following until his death and performed regularly. Dekker had been due to play across Europe over the summer, including dates in Ireland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Dekker, who was divorced, is survived by a son and a daughter. Funeral details were not immediately available. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #2 May 28, 2006 (don't know why this is being posted in speakers corner, but anyway) sux to hear. I got to see Desmond Dekker play at the Black Cat in Washington DC. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #3 May 28, 2006 Poor me, the Israelite.... R.I.P (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #4 May 28, 2006 QuoteDekker Dies SkyDekker is dead? . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 51 #5 May 28, 2006 I love reggae, but am confused about it's derivatives: Ska Reggaeton Dance Hall Can anyone tell me what characterizes these three styles of music? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #6 May 29, 2006 QuoteQuoteDekker Dies SkyDekker is dead? he is the walrus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #7 May 29, 2006 QuoteI love reggae, but am confused about it's derivatives: Ska Reggaeton Dance Hall Can anyone tell me what characterizes these three styles of music? I cantell you this much: Ska & bluebeat came first. The word "Reggae" was invented by Frederick Hibbert, aka "Toots" of Toots & the Maytalls (biggest selling reggae band of ALL TIME!) Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #8 May 30, 2006 Actually, I only opened this to see if I could figure out how to parse the subject line into something intelligible. It works for those that care, I guess - a couple commas would do it though ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
