The Inspiring Story of ‘Desmond Dekker's’ Influence On Jamaican Music

Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 – 25 May 2006) was a legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician, known for his contributions to ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. With his backing group, the Aces, he achieved international success with the hit song "Israelites" in 1968. Throughout his career, Dekker produced numerous chart-topping tracks, including "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969), and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970).

Born as Desmond Adolphus Dacres in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, on July 16, 1941, Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. His deep-rooted religious upbringing, fostered by regular church attendance with his grandmother and aunt, shaped his lifelong commitment to faith. After the passing of his mother, he moved to St. Mary and later to St. Thomas. During his time in St. Thomas, Dekker worked as a tailor apprentice before returning to Kingston, where he pursued a career as a welder. It was during his time as a welder that his co-workers recognized his musical talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music.

In 1961, Dekker auditioned for prominent record producers Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid, but he did not secure a contract. However, he caught the attention of Leslie Kong, who signed him to his Beverley's record label. Despite the signing, it took two years for Dekker to release his first record. During this period, Dekker also discovered the talent of Bob Marley, his fellow welder, and introduced him to Kong. In 1962, Dekker's song "Judge Not" and Marley's "One Cup Of Coffee" marked their first recorded efforts. Marley expressed gratitude and admiration for Dekker throughout his life. Later in 1963, Kong chose Dekker's song "Honour Your Mother and Father" as his first official release, which became a hit in Jamaica and launched Dekker's musical career. This success was followed by the release of tracks like "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning".

Dekker's songs in the early years of his career addressed moral, cultural, and social issues prevalent in Jamaican society. He explored themes of respect for parents ("Honour Your Mother and Father"), religious morality ("Sinners Come Home"), and education ("Labour for Learning"). In 1967, Dekker's collaboration with Derrick Morgan on "Tougher Than Tough" brought attention to the rude boy subculture, which reflected the challenging life in Jamaican ghettos. Although Dekker's songs didn't delve into the extreme violence associated with the rude boy culture, he resonated with the youth through tracks like "007 (Shanty Town)". This song solidified his status as a rude boy icon in Jamaica and became a favorite among the working-class mod scene in the United Kingdom.

Throughout his career, Dekker continued to release both rude boy songs like "Rude Boy Train" and "Rudie Got Soul," as well as mainstream cultural tracks like "It's a Shame," "Wise Man," and "Unity." Many of his hits from this era were featured on his debut album, "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967).

In 1968, Dekker achieved global fame with the release of "Israelites," which topped the UK Singles Chart in April 1969 and reached the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 1969. He became the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with Jamaican-style music. The same year, Dekker released other popular tracks like "Beautiful and Dangerous," "Writing on the Wall," and "Bongo Girl." In 1969, "It Mek" became a hit in both Jamaica and the UK. Dekker's success continued in 1970 with the release of "You Can Get It If You Really Want," written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. 2 on the UK charts.

In the 1980s, Dekker signed with Stiff Records, an independent label known for its association with punk, new wave, and ska revival acts. He recorded the album "Black & Dekker" (1980), featuring his previous hits backed by bands like The Rumour and Akrylykz. Dekker's popularity as a live performer remained strong, and he continued to tour with The Rumour.

While his sales declined in the following years, Dekker experienced a resurgence in 1990 when his song "Israelites" was featured in a popular Maxell TV advert. He collaborated with The Specials on the 1993 album "King of Kings," which featured songs