Artist:Desmond Dekker & The AcesSong:Israelites
Album:The Original Reggae Hitsound Of Desmond Dekker and the Aces
Though the 1969 hit Israelites is looked at as a one hit wonder in North America, It paved the way for other Jamaican stars like Bob Marley. And Desmond Dekker had a significant career in Jamaica and England. He was born Desmond Dacres July 16, 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was working as a welder in 1961 when his co-workers suggested that he should be a singer. He became friends with Derrick Morgan and started recording for producer Leslie Kong in 1963. Dekker's music became a big part of the Rude Boy sound of the late 60s. He was very popular in Jamaica but Dekker broke through internationally in 1968 with Israelites. Dekker wrote the song when he was walking through the park one day and heard a couple arguing about money. This song about poverty reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the British charts. Dekker moved to England in the 70s. He wasn't having much success until the British ska revival of the late 70s with Stiff Records. That died out in the mid-80s but Dekker got a big boost when Israelites was used in a 1990 Maxell commercial and Dekker was rediscovered and hailed as a legend. He continued to tour and record periodically until his death on May 25, 2006 at age 64. This comp from Trojan covers Dekker's 60s recordings. Here's Desmond Dekker & The Aces performing Israelites in Wembley Stadium in London 1970.
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