R.I.P. Desmond Dekker

World Music Cenntral reports that Desmond Dekker, the Jamaican singer who became popular worldwide with the hit songs ‘The Israelites’ and ‘Intensified’ died May 25 in the morning. He suffered a heart attack on stage during a soundcheck in Dublin, Ireland.

Desmond Dekker (born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16, 1941) was one of the pioneers of Ska & early Reggae. Before Bob Marley, he was Jamaica’s most popular musician. He’s still one of my favorites.