"Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's #14 hit "007 (Shanty Town)" in 1967. [1] Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street". [12][13], Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, England, aged 64[3] and was buried at Streatham Park Cemetery. Desmond Dekker - It Mek Lyrics | Genius Lyrics an ex-wife and a son and daughter, but Dekker was mourned by several He was already a major star in Jamaica and well known in Britain. Desmond Dekker unleashed a flood of fine singles across the '60s and early '70s, all under the aegis of producer Leslie Kong.Taking a chance on an untried youngster barely into his teens, who'd already been shown the door by Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid, Kong nurtured Dekker to international stardom, only to die suddenly in 1971, two years after the singer's breakthrough. In 2000 he released the album "Halfway to Paradise." Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The song is a lament of this condition. Join our newsletter to get the latest articles, news, & videos. Dekker soon garnered a wider audience with his songs, which were recorded "I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent.". ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Unflagging performer Desmond Dekker. Mr. Kong produced Mr. Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," in 1963, and it reached No. "The Israelites," with its biblical imagery of suffering and redemption, showed the world reggae's combination of danceable rhythm and serious, sometimes spiritual intentions. He often sang on the job, which prompted Although Mr. Dekker had no further hits in the United States, he continued to have hits in England with "It Mek" in 1969 and the first recording of Jimmy Cliff's "You Can Get It if You Really Want" in 1970. Ostensibly a reissue of his 1969 U.K. LP of 1966-1968 recordings, which had . community, and in 1967 his song "0.0.7 (Shanty Town)" Originally issued in Jamaica as "Poor Me Israelites",[7] it remains the best known Jamaican reggae hit to reach the United States Hot 100's top 10,[5] and was written almost two years after Dekker first made his mark with the rude boy song "007 (Shanty Town)". the resurgence of ska in England, and top-selling bands like Madness and DEKKER,DESMOND - 007: The Best of Desmond Dekker - Amazon.com Music years earlier, when both worked as welders in Kingston, and Dekker Thomas. [9][10] Ethnomusicologist Michael Veal identifies "007 (Shanty Town)" as one of the songs that demonstrated the viability of Jamaican music in England.[11]. It Mek 7. "007 (Shanty Town)" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Jamaican band Desmond Dekker and the Aces, released as a single from their debut album of the same name. Mark Lamarr, presenter of BBC Radio 2's Reggae Show, said: "He probably was the first reggae superstar to have hits outside Jamaica in the US and UK. This was followed by the release of the tracks "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning". [11] In June 1969 it reached the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. migrating across the Atlantic along with a growing West Indian expatriate Dekker was a native of Kingston, Jamaica's capital, where he was He also collaborated on a remix of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian. States, but it reached No. , May 27, 2006, p. B17; gangsters they saw in Hollywood films. [5] Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town). [7] A re-recorded version of "Israelites" was released in 1980 on the Stiff label, followed by other new recordings: Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" and "Book of Rules". Jamaica's post-colonial The themes of Dekker's songs during the first four years of his career dealt with the moral, cultural and social issues of mainstream Jamaican culture: respect for one's parents ("Honour Your Mother and Father"), religious morality ("Sinners Come Home") and education ("Labour for Learning"). 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. Intensified 4. born in 1941 or 1942. May 25, 2006 - Desmond Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres on July 16th 1941 in Saint Andrew Parrish, Kingston, Jamaica. Mr Williams said Dekker had led the way for reggae stars such as Bob Marley. of the world. He had another hit in 1969, "It Mek," and a year later Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968). Intensified - Wikipedia I dig you out and you're cool, girl. , May 27, 2006, sec. "He died peacefully but it still hurts. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In 1980, Dekker released a new recording of the song on UK label Stiff Records, performed in an uptempo Two Tone style. the Jamaican charts. Dekker was responsible for bringing Bob Marleys talents to the attention of Kong and the two had several successful collaborations. List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK), List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States, "Israelites / The Man - Desmond Dekker & The Aces", "Desmond Dekker & The Aces, Beverley's All Stars - Poor Me Israelites / Fly Right", Desmond Dekker and the Aces Israelites", The Irish Charts Search Results Israelites", "Desmond Dekker & the Aces: Artist Chart History", "Desmond Dekker The Aces Chart History (Hot 100)", Offiziellecharts.de Desmond Dekker and the Aces Israelites", "British single certifications Desmond Dekker & The Aces Israelites", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Israelites_(song)&oldid=1134128754, Short description is different from Wikidata, Single chart usages for Belgium (Flanders), Single chart usages for Belgium (Wallonia), Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom, Pages using certification Table Entry with streaming figures, Pages using certification Table Entry with streaming footnote, Articles with MusicBrainz release group identifiers, Articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "My Precious World (The Man)" by Beverley's All Stars, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 03:48. The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker. Desmond Dekker 1. Desmond Dekker - IMDb Dekker spent his early formative years in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Photo Courtesy:Desmond Dekker Reggae Facebook. Mr Dekker, who was divorced with a son and a daughter, played his last gig at Leeds University on May 11. From a child he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1942, the star-to-be was orphaned in his teens. "When he released Israelites nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them.". Desmond Dekker, 64, Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Dies View their obituary at Legacy.com Previously divorced, he was survived by a son and daughter. Desmond Dekker Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Sung in Jamaican creole, some of the song's lyrics were not readily understood by many British and American listeners at the time of its release. The music began and became one of his country's first recording stars to achieve Showing Editorial results for desmond dekker. In 1970 Dekker released "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff, which reached No. Meanwhile, Dekker spotted the talent of Bob Marley, a fellow welder, and brought the youth to Kong's attention. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. All tracks composed by Desmond Dekker; except where indicated "It Mek" (Dekker, Leslie Kong) - 1:40 "Too Much Too Soon" (Dekker, Leslie Kong) - 2:38 "Coconut Water" - 3:27 "Sweet Music" - 2:29 He moved to the UK in the 70s and recorded the hit You Can Get It If You Really Want, written by Jimmy Cliff. [3], In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), though neither audition was successful. 1969. [2] Just over six years after the original release, the song again reached a Top Ten position in the United Kingdom. Chicago Tribune "[4], The song also deals with a 'rude boy' who after being released from prison continues to commit crime. Dekker's trademark falsetto, singing lyrics in a 2 in the UK charts. 1 in Jamaica. For the secondary James Bond theme, see, O'Brien Chang, Kevin & Chen, Wayne (1998), Soundtrack for the ages: 40 Years of Harder They Come, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=007_(Shanty_Town)&oldid=1099693912, This page was last edited on 22 July 2022, at 03:53. his music thanks to [10], In 1969 Dekker took permanent residency in the UK. Tips of My Fingers 5. of the biblical era. Like many of Mr. Dekker's songs, it carried a message. Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968). But a new version of Israelites was released in 1990 and used in television commercials, boosting the star's popularity. It Mek (sometimes appearing as "A It Mek" or German language "It Miek") was a 1969 hit song by the Jamaican musicians Desmond Dekker & the Aces.After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. Desmond Dekker, was born in Jamaica's Saint Andrew Parish on July 16, 1941, and was an early influencer with one of the earliest reggae hits, "Israelites." The ska, reggae and rock steady singer, songwriter and musician was introduced to music through the local church he attended as a child. Dekker spent his formative years in Kingston. Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites (Official Lyrics Video) Trojan Records Official 109K subscribers Subscribe 40K Share 3.5M views 3 years ago #Pyramid #Israelites #rocksteady Between 1967. This early religious upbringing, as well as Dekker's enjoyment of singing hymns, led to a lifelong religious commitment. The comeback failed to save him from bankruptcy in 1984, suffering even after independence from Britain. in Leeds just two weeks before his death. Desmond Dekker, the orphan who trained as a welder alongside one Robert Marley and led the march of Jamaican music on to the global charts, has died aged 64. Albums include The Harder They Come, The Harder They Come, and Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music. Times which Dekker admitted was the result of a swindle by his former manager. 1 hits in Jamaica. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history.". [2] The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". Dekker recorded the song again for his 1980 album Black and Dekker. [1] The track was written by Dekker (under his real name of Desmond Dacres) and his record producer, Leslie Kong, and was recorded in Jamaica with the brass accompaniment added in the UK. , May 27, 2006, p. A11; He was orphaned as a teenager but made a success for himself after signing with Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and releasing his first single, Honour Your Father and Mother, in 1963, a paean. He had been due to perform at the Respect Festival in Prague on 2 June, and numerous dates across Europe . Other hits include "007", "It Mek" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want". Its title and lyrics refer to the cool imagery of films such as the James Bond series and Ocean's 11, admired by "rudies". An instrumental figure in the development of ska and its slightly mellower cousin, rocksteady, Dekker was also one the first reggae performers to break big in the U.K., laying the groundwork for that country's late 1970s 2 Tone movement. From a young age he regularly attended the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Intensified is an album by Desmond Dekker & the Aces released in 1970. Desmond Dekker, Desmond Dekker & the Aces - Intensified - AllMusic When Maxell used Israelites in a TV commercial, it propelled Dekker and his music back into the spotlight. [3], In 1968 Dekker's "Israelites" was released, eventually topping the UK Singles Chart in April 1969 and peaking in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 1969. I was his manager and his best friend, I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far.". of a heart attack, May 25, 2006, in London, England. Desmond Dekker, King of Ska - Rock and Roll Paradise He was 64. Rock it to me, children. Desmond Dekker Biography - name, wife, mother, son, born, movie, time Compass Point [4] It combined the Rastafarian religion with rude boy concerns,[5] to make what has been described as a "timeless masterpiece that knew no boundaries".[6]. A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", "Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song". The star was divorced with a son and daughter. Desmond Dekker Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information Jamaican music, and Dekker was at its cutting edge," his Desmond Dekker, who brought the sound of Jamaican ska to the world with songs such as "Israelites," has died, his manager said Friday. The unsigned vocalist then auditioned for Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label and was awarded his first recording contract. Born July 16, 1941 Died May 24, 2006 (64) Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list Known for Fool's Gold 5.7 On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "I was telling people not to give up as things will get better," he said in a interview last year for the Set the Tone 67 Web site. He was 64. It was also a hit for Musical Youth in 1983. 1972 film Photograph: PA. Destitute ("slaving for bread") and unkempt ("Shirt dem a-tear up, trousers a-go"), some Rastafarians were tempted to a life of crime ("I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde"). Desmond Dekker - Israelites (Official Music Video) - YouTube What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good. Ska legend Desmond Dekker has died suddenly from a heart attack, his manager said today. An energetic live performer, he was about to start a European summer tour and was booked to play in Prague next week. park one day, was a homage to Jamaica's underclass, who were still "The Israelites" was the peak of Mr. Dekker's extensive career, selling more than a million copies worldwide. [7], "007" was Dekker's first international hit. Dekker's next album, Compass Point (1981), was produced by Robert Palmer. "They know all the words to his songs, died on May 25, 2006, in London, at the age of 63 or 64. As a teenager he worked in a welding shop alongside Bob Marley and auditioned unsuccessfully for various producers until Mr. Marley encouraged him to try out for his own first producer, Leslie Kong. [2] While at St. Thomas, Dekker embarked on an apprenticeship as a tailor before returning to Kingston, where he became a welder. Desmond Dekker - This Is Desmond Dekkar Album Reviews, Songs & More The 7 Breakfast Dishes Every Jamaican Should Know How Jamaican Men Say Thank You to another Jamaican How Jamaicans Greet You When They Have Not Seen You 20 English Words That Sound Better In Jamaican Patois. The Top 10 Desmond Dekker Songs - Jamaicans.com This double disc set features every major UK and Jamaican chart hit by the first King of Reggae, all sourced from the original analog master tapes. made it into the Top Ten on the U.S. singles chart the following year. Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites (Official Lyrics Video) lament, whose lyrics Dekker had written in his head while walking in a released the song "You Can Get It If You Really Want." He was 1 in Britain and made him a household name given to Kingston's tough urban youth who modeled themselves on the The artist took a permanent residency in the UK in 1969. Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Mek" (1969) and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970). 9 in the United States in 1969. His workplace singing had drawn the attention of his co-workers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. and performed with his backing band, the Four Aces. The 64-year-old Jamaican, best known for his 1969 smash hit Israelites, collapsed at his home in Surrey. Together with his backing group The Aces, he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites". there. His first contract was with Leslie Kongs Beverleys label. UK ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six used a sample of the chorus as the outro to "Rum Little Skallywag". Many of his best-known songs celebrated the "rude boy" culture, the name [3] 1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. Desmond Dekker 5/2006. [1] The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. reached No. Kong, whose music production skills had been a crucial part of both Dekker's and Cliff's careers, died in 1971, affecting the careers of both artists for a short period of time. The movie's hero, played by Jimmy Cliff, sang it this time, and Potentially because of this usage, the song charted again, entering the Billboard Digital Reggae Song Sales Chart at #2.[15]. Eventually in 1963 Kong chose "Honour Your Mother and Father" (written by Dekker and the song that Dekker had sung in his Kong audition two years earlier), which became a Jamaican hit and established Dekker's musical career. Singer. He won the Jamaican Song Festival in 1968 with "Intensified.". [8] King of Kings consists of songs by Dekker's musical heroes including Byron Lee; Theophilus Beckford, Jimmy Cliff, and his friend and fellow Kong label artist, Derrick Morgan. Washington Post By the time I got home, it was complete. Dekker, whose 1969 hit Israelites was the first reggae song to top the UK charts, collapsed at his Surrey home. And it just get out of controlIs just a typical riot 'cause I say - Them a loot, them a shoot, them a wail. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TROJAN DUB MASSIVE CHAPTER TWO 2 CD REGGAE SKA ROOTS DESMOND DECKER 40th lp 45 at the best online prices at eBay! It was during this period that Desmond Dacres adopted the stage-name of Desmond Dekker. With the release of Israelites, Dekker became the first Jamaican artist to score a hit in the United States. "[8] The title has been the source of speculation,[9] but most settle on the Rastafarian Movement's association with the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Dekker wrote the song after watching news coverage of a student demonstration against government plans to build an industrial complex on land close to the beach, which descended into violence. "The Israelites" reached No. In 1993, the Specials reunited and backed up Mr. Dekker on the album "King of Kings," with remakes of ska hits. "independence in 1962 had bestowed a new cultural confidence, The artist died on May 25, 2006, of a heart attack at his home in Thorton Heath in the Croydon Borough of London. He was also a songwriter and a musician as well. Dekker was instrumental in popularizing the rude boy subculture, highlighting Jamaican ghetto life with 007 (Shanty Town), that became a working-class anthem for those in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Roll Call"). career, "Israelites," was released in December of 1968 and career. "Honour Thy Father and Mother" was released in Britain in 1964 on Chris Blackwell's Island label, which would later release Bob Marley's albums. charts in the United States, and opened the ears of the world to the music Jamaican singer and musician, Desmond Dekker pictured wearing white trousers and a white cowl neck tunic and sitting on a stool circa 1969. Trojan Dub Massive Chapter Two 2 Cd Reggae Ska Roots Desmond Decker A . Left to earn a living on his own, he apprenticed as a welder. The song was his only United States hit, but it was a turning point for Jamaican music among international listeners. of musicians and producers Dekker cut two more albums, 007: The Best of Desmond Dekker is a two-disc collection that features 25 classic hits from Dekker's catalog, as well as another 25 rare and unreleased sides including alternate takes of some of the artist's fan favorites of the '60s and '70s. Mr. Dekker was named Desmond Adolphus Dacres when he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941. tribute, was evident in a sold-out show Dekker played at a Hollywood jazz elements, combined with such local forms as calypso and mento and Desmond Dekker - Wikipedia hotspot in 2005, "which was almost completely people under It Mek - Wikipedia I was his manager and his best friend. The two had met The 2016 - current line up of musicians for Desmond Dekker's band the Aces featuring Delroy Williams & Guests. In the 1960s, Jamaican Rastafarians were largely marginalized as "cultish" and ostracized from the larger society, including by the more conservative Christian church in Kingston. expressed in the growth of ska, a mix of imported rhythm and blues and The obituary was featured in Legacy on May 26, 2006. The punk era of the late 1970's brought with it an English revival of ska by groups like Madness and the Specials. His fourth hit, "King of Ska" (backing vocals by The Cherrypies, also known as The Maytals), made him into one of the island's biggest stars. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at. With "The Israelites," released in Jamaica in December 1968, Mr. Dekker had an international impact. [2] He was due to perform at the Respect festival in Prague on June 2, before heading on to Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Belgium and London. The 2006 to 2015 line-up for Dekker's backing band, The Aces, who are still performing tribute concerts, includes: This particular line-up also recorded with Dekker on some of his later studio sessions in the 1990s. The Jamaican rhythm of ska had already generated hits in the United States, notably Millie Small's 1964 hit, "My Boy Lollipop." "007 (Shanty Town)" was included in the soundtrack for Chocolate Skateboard's Las Nueve Vidas De Paco (1995), during the segment of professional skater Keenan Milton. of London obituary noted. His last concert was at Leeds Metropolitan University on 11 May. Desmond Dekker on Apple Music [2] It spent eleven weeks in the UK chart, and by September 1970 had sold over a million copies worldwide. Desmond Dekker, voice of Jamaica's slums, dies at 64 Mr Williams said: "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. Browse 99 desmond dekker stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. journalist Jocelyn Y. Stewart. "Desmond Dekker and the Aces: Artist Chart History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=It_Mek&oldid=1057544344, Short description is different from Wikidata, Single chart usages for Belgium (Flanders), Single chart usages for Belgium (Wallonia), Articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 November 2021, at 07:27. My Father lived with his Grandmother along with his Father in Kingston. sold millions of copies, became the first purely Jamaican song to top the "The song, an ode to the troubles of the poor, It Mek (sometimes appearing as "A It Mek" or German language "It Miek") was a 1969 hit song by the Jamaican musicians Desmond Dekker & the Aces. He died after collapsing from a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters. Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. I related to those things and began to sing a little song: 'You get up in the morning and you're slaving for bread.' Desmond Dekker, who has died of a heart attack aged 64 in Surrey, was one of the first Jamaican vocalists to make a significant impact outside the land of his birth. Desmond Dekker discography and songs: Music profile for Desmond Dekker, born 16 July 1941. [11] In 1984 he was declared bankrupt. From a very young age he would regularly attend the local church with his grandmother and aunt. Desmond Dekker Biography, Life, Interesting Facts - Famous Birthdays By Desmond Dekker, was born in Jamaicas Saint Andrew Parish on July 16, 1941, and was an early influencer with one of the earliest reggae hits, Israelites. The ska, reggae and rock steady singer, songwriter and musician was introduced to music through the local church he attended as a child. He recorded an album called Black & Dekker (1980), which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band and Akrylykz (featuring Roland Gift, later of Fine Young Cannibals). Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 25 May 2006)[1] was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. "Israelites" is a song written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong that became a hit for Dekker's group, Desmond Dekker & The Aces,[2] reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries in 1969. Dekker's last gig was in Leeds on 11 May (Photo: egigs.co.uk), Dekker's hits included Israelites, It Mek and 007 (Shanty Town), The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, BBC Radio 2's Mark Lamarr pays tribute to Desmond Dekker. The track was written by Dekker (under his real name of Desmond Dacres) and his record producer, Leslie Kong, and was recorded in Jamaica with the brass . The most successful track of his On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the third episode of HBO's Watchmen. the film introduced Jamaica's vibrant musical culture to the rest He was 64. Too Much Too Soon 6. By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. Desmond Dekker - Israelites (Official Music Video) Weedy Weed Smoker 7.04K subscribers Subscribe 349K views 5 years ago Music video by Desmond Dekker performing Israelites. Orphaned at an early age, he was sent to live in a [13], Dekker had two more UK Top 10 hits over the next year, "It Miek" and his cover of Jimmy Cliff's song "You Can Get It If You Really Want". He died peacefully but it still hurts. The Harder They Come With a younger generation Mr. Dekker had a total of 20 No. They provided the backing vocals on Dekker's major hit "007 (Shanty Town)" as well as the track "Music Like Dirt (Intensified '68)" (the winning song of the 1968 Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest). 63K views 4 years ago A reggae hit in 1969 for Desmond Dekker and the Aces. Also founder & MD of popular Reggae and Ska Tribute/backing band, Paul Abraham Guitarist and backing vocals, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 17:21. Most recently, it featured on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Vivarium. Dekker was divorced and was survived by his son and daughter.[14]. [1] Dekker's international success led to him touring overseas, although The Aces did not accompany him due to Samuels refusal to fly (Samuels stating that "Rastas did not fly on iron birds") and Barry Howard's decision to emigrate to the United States. ", He added: "People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime.