Mark Lane Mural

Desmond Dekker

(July 16, 1943 - May 25, 2006)

History

Hailed as reggae’s first international superstar, Desmond Dekker born Desmond Adolphus Dacres may be famously know for his hits such as Honour Your Father and Mother, Sinners Come Home and Labour for Learning. Dekker’s career had a rocky start after being unsuccessful in audition at Studio One recording label. However, much to his success, he tried Leslie Kong’s Beverly record label and was signed.

Dekker is known to have paved the way for the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs among others. Dekker’s manager Leslie Kong, in an effort to build Dekker’s career, paired him with a young group called the Cherry Pies then later Barry Howard, Carl Samuel, Clive Campbell and Patrick Johnson, known as the Four Aces.

History cont'd

In 1967 Desmond and the Aces, climbed to No. 14 on the UK Pop charts with their rude boy inspired single ‘007 (Shanty Town). In 1968 he won the Jamaica Festival Song Competition with his hit Music Like Dirt/Intensified.

Finally, in 1969, Desmond and the aces worked their way back to the international spotlight with the No. 1 UK Charts song titled, Israelites. This opened new prospects for reggae in the UK and later allowing recognition to the likes of Jimmy Cliff, the Pioneers, the Melodians, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Upsetters and Toots and the Maytals.

Desmond and the Aces remained in the national consciousness with hits such as It Mek and Pickney Gal. Dekker later signed to Trojan records where he enjoyed his first solo best seller, You Can Get It If You Really Want, which was written by Jimmy Cliff.

In 1971, Dekker’s carrier took an unfortunate turn after his close friend, producer and friend, Leslie Kong died from a heart attack. It wasn’t until 1975 before Dekker made it back to the UK charts with a re-issue of Israelites and later Sing A Little Song. However, his career became a whirlwind of unfortunate comings. In 1984 the British court declared him bankrupt, however, he did not let this hold him back. Dekker continued to record for Trojan Records for the next twelve years. Even though new reclaiming his former glory, he remained constantly in demand around the globe, right up until his untimely death on May 25, 2006, where he died of a heart attack.