Desmond Dekker

Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in Saint Andrew Parish (Greater Kingston), Jamaica, on 16 July 1941. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. Following his mother's death, he moved to the parish of St. Mary and later to St. Thomas. While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. ==Career==

Despite achieving a record deal, it was two years before Dekker saw his first record released. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. In 1962 "Judge Not" and "One Cup Of Coffee" became the first recorded efforts of Marley, who retained gratitude, respect and admiration for Dekker for the rest of his life. Eventually in 1963 Kong chose "Honour Your Mother and Father" (written by Dekker and the song that Dekker had sung in his Kong audition two years earlier), which became a Jamaican hit and established Dekker's musical career. "007 (Shanty Town)" was a top 15 hit in the UK and his UK concerts were attended by a large following of mods wherever he played. Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). Dekker also released "Problems" and "Pickney Gal", both of which were popular in Jamaica, A re-recorded version of "Israelites" was released in 1980 on the Stiff label, followed by other new recordings: Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" and "Book of Rules". Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), King of Kings consists of songs by Dekker's musical heroes including Byron Lee; Theophilus Beckford, Jimmy Cliff, and his friend and fellow Kong label artist, Derrick Morgan. He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. Desmond headlined Jools Holland's 2003 Annual Hootenanny. ==Personal life and death==

In 1969, Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. In 1984, he was declared bankrupt. Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, England, aged 64, ==Tribute band==

The 2006 to 2015 line-up for Dekker's backing band, The Aces, who are still performing tribute concerts, includes: • Delroy Williams – backing vocals/M.C. • Gordon Mulrain – bass guitarist and session musician (Mulrain, also known as "Innerheart", is co-founder of the British record label Ambiel Music) • Aubrey Mulrain – keyboard player and session musician • Steve Roberts – guitarist and session musician (also a member of the British band Dubzone) • Learoy Green – drums and session musician • Stan Samuel – guitarist and session musician • Charles Nelson – keyboard player and session musician This particular line-up also recorded with Dekker on some of his later studio sessions in the 1990s. The 2016 to present line-up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests: • Delroy Williams – vocals (also featuring guests Winston 'Mr Fix It' Francis and Glenroy Oakley from Greyhound 'Black & White') • Gordon Mulrain – bass guitarist and session musician • Aubrey Mulrain – keyboard player and session musician • Learoy Green – drums, backing vocals and session musician • Bryan Campbell – keyboard player and session musician • Steve Baker – guitarist, backing vocals, peripatetic guitar teacher and session guitarist. Also founder and MD of reggae and ska tribute/backing band Zeb Rootz • Paul Abraham – guitarist and backing vocals ==Discography==

Albums Studio albums • 007 Shanty Town (1967) – Doctor Bird (Desmond Dekker & the Aces) • Action! (1968) (Desmond Dekker & the Aces) • The Israelites (1969) – Pyramid, reached No. 153 in the United States • Intensified (1970) – Lagoon • You Can Get It If You Really Want (1970) – Trojan • The Israelites (1975), Cactus – completely different album from the 1969 release • Black and Dekker (1980) – Stiff • Compass Point (1981) – Stiff • King of Kings with The Specials (1993) – Trojan Records • Halfway to Paradise (1999) – Trojan • In Memoriam 1941 – CD Album – (2007) Secret Records • King of Ska – Red Vinyl (2019) Burning Sounds Compilation albums • This Is Desmond Dekkar (1969) – Trojan Records (UK #27), reissued on CD in 2006 with 19 bonus tracks • Double Dekker (1973) – Trojan. Reissued on Music on Vinyl February 16, 2022 • ''Dekker's Sweet 16 Hits'' (1979) – Trojan • The Original Reggae Hitsound (1985) – Trojan • 20 Golden Pieces of Desmond Dekker (1987) – Bulldog • The Official Live and Rare (1987) – Trojan • Greatest Hits (1988) – Streetlife • The Best of & the Rest Of (1990) – Action Replay • Music Like Dirt (1992) – Trojan • ''Rockin' Steady – The Best of Desmond Dekker'' (1992) – Rhino • Crucial Cuts (1993) – Music Club • Israelites (1994) – Laserlight • Action (1995) – Lagoon • Voice of Ska (1995) – Emporio • Moving On (1996) – Trojan • The Israelites (1996) – Marble Arch • First Time for a Long Time (1997) – Trojan • Desmond Dekker Archive (1997) – Rialto • The Writing on the Wall (1998) – Trojan • Israelites (1999) – Castle Pie • Israelites: The Best of Desmond Dekker (1963–1971) – Trojan (1999) • The Very Best Of (2000) – Jet Set • Israelites – Anthology 1963 to 1999 (2001) – Trojan • 007 – The Best of Desmond Dekker (2011) – Trojan • Live – Live at Dingwalls (2021) – Secret Singles ==References==