Posted May 27, 200619 yr Music news Reggae star Desmond Dekker dies Reggae legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, aged 64. The Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit 'Israelites', collapsed at his home in Surrey on Thursday morning. Friends and family are said to be in shock and his manager Delroy Williams paid tribute to the singer on Friday. "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." Williams insisted it was a shock because Dekker was in good health and due to appear in Prague, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London over the coming weeks. He added: "He was at his peak fitness, he had this big tour coming up for this summer and he was looking forward to it - and then that was it. "He died peacefully but it still hurts. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. "He wasn't out there like other stars partying all the time, he just did his job. He lived for his music and his children." Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. Desmond had six Top40 (all Top20) Hits in the UK between 1967 & 1975. They were: 1967 007 (Shanty Town) #14 1969 Israelites #1 1969 It Miek #7 1970 You Can Get It If You Really Want #2 :wub: 1975 Israelites (rerecording) #10 1975 Sing A Little Song #16 Your Thoughts?
May 27, 200619 yr already been noted in the main chart area (well i know its the nearest to a general discussion area)
May 27, 200619 yr Author Personally, I think an artist who has not had a hit within the lifetime of the majority of people who view BuzzJack is more applicable to the Retro Forum than anywhere else. :lol: Anyway.... Here is a wonderful performance by the late Desmond Dekker on Later with Jools Holland - of his 1969 classic #1 hit "Israelites". [flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d-GCUfqVnI.swf
May 27, 200619 yr Personally, I think an artist who has not had a hit within the lifetime of the majority of people who view BuzzJack is more applicable to the Retro Forum than anywhere else. :lol: Anyway.... well Apache Indian collaboration got close last year, only about 152 places out!!!!
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