MSD Spotlight: Desmond Dekker

Jamaican ska and reggae pioneer, Desmond Dekker, had one of the first international Jamaican hits with “Israelites” in 1968-1969. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in 1941 and growing up in Kingston, working as a tailor and a welder, performing called to young Desmond. He auditioned for Derrick Morgan in 1961, an early ska/reggae performer in the rocksteady, skinhead style and a local celebrity, who was impressed and supported Desmond. He started recording in 1963 at Leslie Kong’s (an early influential Chinese-Jamaican producer) recording studio. Desmond was backed in this period by the Cherrypies (later known as The Maytals) who were to soon back Toots Hibbert and Desmond was to move on to the Four Aces as his backing band. Their early output was polite and respectful with titles like: “Honour Your Mother And Father”, “Parents” and “Get Up Edina”.

Performing “The Israelites” and “It Mek” in 1970 at Wembley:

Desmond started performing in the “rudeboy” style, this and a more aggressive approach to music helped to usher in a very successful period in Desmond’s life. Recording “007 (Shanty Town)”(1968), “It Mek”(1969) and “You Can Get It If You Really Want” (1971) within a four year period coupled with heavy touring made Desmond one of the most sought after international recording stars.

The mid-1970′s weren’t as kind to Desmond. He continued a relentless touring schedule, but couldn’t match his earlier chart success. This, coupled with the death of Leslie Kong, his career sputtered and stalled. Desmond’s career limped on, yet he couldn’t catch a break. He declared bankruptcy in 1984. The 90′s were a little kinder to Desmond and recorded some of his old hits with The Specials and performed at countless reggae festivals. Sadly, Desmond passed in 2006 as he was preparing to headline a world music festival in Prague.  Rest in peace, Desmond.