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May 26, 2006

Desmond Dekker (1942-2006)

Silver-voiced rude boy scored first international reggae hit with "Israelites" in 1968; influenced Clash, Sex Pistols

Recordings and Reviews

You Can Get It If You Really Want: The Definitive

The young Desmond Dekker had one of the sweetest tenors in Jamaican music, a voice reminiscent of his American heroes Jackie Wilson and Nat "King" Cole. With his band the Aces, Dekker laid down some of the greatest ska, rock steady and reggae ever -- and, on the 1966 rude-boy anthem "0.0.7 (Shanty T...

2005 RS: 4of 5 Stars

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Desmond Dekker Official Site

Biography

In 1969, straight out of Kingston, Jamaica, Desmond Dekker scored a Top 10 hit with the reggae single "Israelites," paving the way for stronger talents like Bob Marley. Although in the U.S. Dekker remained a one-hit wonder, his influence in Britain was more substantial. Championing the outlaw ethic ("Rude Boy Train"), Dekker's early work was low-tech and punchy; but even with slicker fare, like hi...

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