Desmond Dekker – South London's King of Ska.

Mel Wright celebrates 40^th Anniversary of Desmond Dekker’s first UK chart hit.

“Get up in the mornin’ slavin for bread, sir, so that every mouth can be fed.”  You only have to hear Desmond Dekker’s falsetto, crooning patois opening line of The Israelites, his 1969 hit, to feel like dancing to the infectious reggae rhythm. Well before Bob Marley and the Wailers, and The Maytals made an impression on UK music scene, Desmond Dekker, born in Jamaica, 1942, Desmond Adolphus Dacres became a pioneer of reggae in UK, a style that would change popular music culture across the world. He was even referred to by name in The Beatles Ska influenced song Ob La Di, Ob La Da. And he lived in Lewisham!

Dekker originated from Kingston, Jamaica but he moved home to St Thomas area as a child when his mother died. After leaving school he was apprenticed as a tailor before returning to Kingston and becoming a welder which is when he took up singing seriously. Despite failing auditions with the infamous Jamaican record labels Studio One and Treasure Isle, the young Desmond was encouraged by singer Derrick Morgan and signed up by Leslie Kong of Beverly records who became a close friend and mentor. Named Desmond Dekker, in 1963 he recorded Honor Your Father and Mother and other songs before having a big hit in Jamaica with King of Ska which also led to the forming of his band, The Four Aces.

In July 1967 while British pop music was full of flower power, Dekker scored his first UK hit, the James Bond inspired 007 (Shanty Town)  which reached No.14. But it was The Israelites in 1969 which he wrote and made him an international star. The record was the first reggae song to top UK charts. He toured Britain with The Aces and enjoyed the place so much he stayed! Settling in Lewisham, he lived in Leyland Road, Lee area. People noticed his dapper appearance strolling around Lewisham Market, leather pants and big rings on his gloved hands. He also played at The Albany in Deptford. He had a strong following in UK and although he had an on-stage gregarious style, according to his close friend and later manager, Delroy Williams at home he was a very private person.

Desmond’s music connected with the emerging rude boy trend as well as skinheads of whom he became an icon. His follow up record, "It Miek" became another top ten hit as did "You Can Get It If You Really Want", taken from the Jimmy Cliff film. Shortly after, Dekker was shaken by the sudden death of his record producer friend, Leslie Kong and later on, despite his hits and busy touring schedule, financial problems caused by his earlier poor management led to Desmond being declared bankrupt. However his career was revived in the Eighties with the Two Tone revival and bands like, Madness, Bad Manners, UB 40 and The Specials who appeared on Dekker’s album King of Kings.

Desmond Dekker continued to live at Devonshire Road, Forest Hill during Eighties and Nineties, still cutting a stylish local figure, wearing trousers cut high up the leg before they became fashionable. He cared about people in the area. In 2001 a local fan, Leroy Auguste was seriously ill in Lewisham Hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage he was unable to speak. After being approached by the family Desmond called in on him and sang The Israelites by his bedside. It helped him to recover.

Finally, moving to Thornton Heath, Desmond died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on 25^th May 2006. He was aged sixty four and still much in demand with a European tour lined up for that summer. Desmond Dekker paved the way for reggae music in UK and undoubtedly influenced many other Lewisham based performers including Mica Paris, Maxi Priest, Winston Groovey and Eddie Capone.

After Desmond’s death last year, The Mercury received many tributes to the reggae legend and Lewisham residents have suggested that a plaque be made to commemorate him and be placed outside his home in Devonshire Road, Forest Hill. Let’s hope it happens soon.