I loved SKA and it was a defining music of the 80's to me. This man helped start it and Desmond Dekker was a great man for pioneering such historically important crossover music.
FRom Digital Spy:
Ska legend Dekker dies, aged 64
Friday, May 26 2006, 18:55 BST - by Dave West
Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64.
The Jamaican-born singer who achieved fame with 1969 hit 'Israelites' was seen as a forerunner of reggae music.
He collapsed on Thursday (May 25) morning at his home in Surrey.
Delroy Williams, Dekker's closest friend and manager, said he had seemed fine on Wednesday night. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. When he released 'Israelites' nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them."
The star moved to the UK in the 1970s and recorded 'You Can Get It If You Really Want', by Jimmy Cliff. His popular success slowed in the 1980s, but Dekker was a keen performer and was about to start a European summer tour.
"He died peacefully but it still hurts," added Williams. "I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far."
FRom Digital Spy:
Ska legend Dekker dies, aged 64
Friday, May 26 2006, 18:55 BST - by Dave West
Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64.
The Jamaican-born singer who achieved fame with 1969 hit 'Israelites' was seen as a forerunner of reggae music.
He collapsed on Thursday (May 25) morning at his home in Surrey.
Delroy Williams, Dekker's closest friend and manager, said he had seemed fine on Wednesday night. "It is such a shock, I don't think I will ever get over this," he said. "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. When he released 'Israelites' nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them."
The star moved to the UK in the 1970s and recorded 'You Can Get It If You Really Want', by Jimmy Cliff. His popular success slowed in the 1980s, but Dekker was a keen performer and was about to start a European summer tour.
"He died peacefully but it still hurts," added Williams. "I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far."
Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.
- Anthony Bourdain
- Anthony Bourdain
