Sad news in the world of ska today. Mr. Desmond Dekker, the King of Ska, died yesterday at his home from an apparent heart attack, says Yahoo! News.
That’s some sad stuff. The songs that man made… and I’m not just talking about “007 (Shanty Town)” or “Israelites.” “It Mek” and “Unity” are guaranteed dancehall barnburners, if I might mix my metaphors. The man was a pioneer in the Jamaican music world- literally. “Israelites” was the first hit from Jamaica. After that, people like Bob Marley, Johnny Nash, Prince Buster… all of them were able to bring Jamaican music to the world.
Hell, “Israelites” has been covered by Millencolin and Madness. Even such a luminary as Trey Anastasio has busted it out from time to time (I hate Phish with all my heart, but the man is talented on the guitar) with Oysterhead. Sure, all those covers pretty much sucked… but they were loving tributes. And that’s got to count for something.
The fact of the matter is, Desmond Dekker recorded amazing music, and the world is a sadder place for having lost him. He was a popular choice at the bakery where I work, and I have a feeling some of Mr. Dekker’s music is going to be played in his honor tomorrow.