The Late, Great Ira Tucker

From the New York Times:

Ira Tucker, Gospel Singer Who Gave Dixie Hummingbirds Emotive Edge, Dies at 83

By DOUGLAS MARTIN

Published: June 26, 2008

Ira Tucker, a little man with a giant vocal range and acrobatic stage antics who as lead singer of the Dixie Hummingbirds helped propel gospel music toward a harder-edged, more emotive style, died on Tuesday in Philadelphia. He was 83.

The cause was heart failure, his son, Ira Jr., said, adding that he had earlier suffered two major heart attacks.

Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/arts/music/26tucker.html

More information, from Ira Tucker, Jr.:

To: OBITUARY EDITORS
Contact: Ira Tucker JR, +1-856-853-9388, [email protected], for the Dixie Hummingbirds

PHILADELPHIA, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Mr. Tucker was a living legacy! The Dixie Hummingbirds began their remarkable musical journey in 1928 in Greenville, SC, organized by the late, great James B. Davis. Tucker joined the gospel group in 1938 at age 13, and over the next seventy years was in the forefront as the Birds soared to world acclaim.

Tucker’s unique sound mixture of gospel and blues added versatility to the Birds style – establishing them as the leading black Southern quartet. They performed across the landscapes of America and throughout Europe; toured the circuit of black churches and gospel extravaganzas; brought audiences to their feet at Harlems famed Apollo Theater; introduced gospel music to integrated listeners at New York’s Cafe Society; were a hit at the Newport Folk Festival; appeared with Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon on the “David Letterman Show”; were featured on Ted Koppel’s “Nightline”; and honored worldwide.

Tucker was inspired and inspiring. Musicologist Horace Boyer writes, “Not only did he put his voice and vocal technique to use, he became the model for the activity singer. He ran up and down aisles, jumped from the stage, and spun around without sacrificing one iota of the pure music sound that he first brought to the quartethe served as the model for many R&B and soul singers.”

Throughout Tucker’s career, he wrote and recorded one masterpiece after another. Among his many accomplishments: 1973 – Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Performance. “Love Me Like A Rock;” 2000 – Induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame; 2007 – Nomination for Best Traditional Gospel Album, “Still Keeping It Real;” 2008 – Feature-length documentary/concert film “The Dixie Hummingbirds: Eighty Years Young.”

Ira Tucker and The Dixie Hummingbirds were deemed a national treasure by the National Endowment For The Arts/2000 DC. His hometown of Philadelphia has solidified this phenomenon with the creation of a powerful mural and street renaming at 15th & Dixie Hummingbirds Way.

Ira Tucker was a wonderful man – not just as a performer, but as a human being – always friendly and approachable, always with that twinkle in his eye.

Quoting his father, Ira Tucker, Jr. reminisced, “All this from a little kid from Spartanburg, SC.“

Tucker is survived by Louise, his devoted wife of 65 years; son Ira Jr.; two daughters Sundray Tucker and Lynda Laurance; 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren.

D.A. Johnson of Malaco Records adds that the funeral arrangements are being handled by Yarborough Rocke Funeral Home, 1001 N. 63rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19151. Phone: (215)-473-5100.

Please send cards and flowers to the funeral home. Faxed condolences should be sent to: 215-879-3145. E-mail: [email protected]

Services will be held in Philadelphia on Wed. July 2 at The Met, Broad & Dixie Hummingbirds Way (Poplar Street). Viewing begins at 9:00am; funeral at 11:00am.

Interment will follow at Ivy Hill Cemetery.

Contact: Ira Tucker JR
Telephone: 856-853-9388
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Dixie Hummingbirds, Ira Tucker Jr.