Reggae Musician. He was influential to such artists as reggae singing legend Bob Marley, and was the first Jamaican artist to have a song chart in the United States with the hit, "Israelites" in 1969. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica he was orphaned by his early teens, and was forced to earn a living on his own. While apprenticing as a welder, his workmates first noticed his vocal talents. In 1961 Dacres decided to take a chance at recording and auditioned for both Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and Duke Reid at Treasure Isle. Later he auditioned before the stable's biggest hitmaker, Derrick Morgan, who immediately spotted the young man's potential. In 1963 Dacres recorded, "Honour Your Father and Mother", a song that rose to the top of the Jamaican music charts. After changing his name to Desmond Dekker, he followed up with the hit song, "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning" which also were very successful. Many of his hits, including "Rude Boy Train" were about "rude" culture, which came from the Jamaica slums in the early 1960s. The term, as in "rude boy," referred to someone who was cool or hip. With the hit "007(Shanty Town)", Dekker became popular in England. With the hit song "Israelites" in 1969, he was finally able to break through the music charts in the United States when it reached into the Top Ten. During the 1970s his popularity declined and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. He continued to record and tour up until the time of his death from a heart attack at his home in England.
Reggae Musician. He was influential to such artists as reggae singing legend Bob Marley, and was the first Jamaican artist to have a song chart in the United States with the hit, "Israelites" in 1969. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica he was orphaned by his early teens, and was forced to earn a living on his own. While apprenticing as a welder, his workmates first noticed his vocal talents. In 1961 Dacres decided to take a chance at recording and auditioned for both Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and Duke Reid at Treasure Isle. Later he auditioned before the stable's biggest hitmaker, Derrick Morgan, who immediately spotted the young man's potential. In 1963 Dacres recorded, "Honour Your Father and Mother", a song that rose to the top of the Jamaican music charts. After changing his name to Desmond Dekker, he followed up with the hit song, "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning" which also were very successful. Many of his hits, including "Rude Boy Train" were about "rude" culture, which came from the Jamaica slums in the early 1960s. The term, as in "rude boy," referred to someone who was cool or hip. With the hit "007(Shanty Town)", Dekker became popular in England. With the hit song "Israelites" in 1969, he was finally able to break through the music charts in the United States when it reached into the Top Ten. During the 1970s his popularity declined and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. He continued to record and tour up until the time of his death from a heart attack at his home in England.
Bio by: C.S.
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