Died this past Tuesday in Philadelphia of heart problems . He was 83. Its really sad that this obituary got so little coverage, but thanks to Cashbox Magazine, our readers are informed. Ira Tucker died this past Tuesday in Philadelphia of heart problems according to his son Ira Tucker Jr. He was 83. Born in Spartanburg, S.C., Tucker was the lead singer of the legendary gospel group the Dixie Hummingbirds, who along with lead singer Paul Simon took "Loves Me Like A Rock" to number 1 on the Cashbox Top 100 September 29,1973. That song gave the group a National audience that traces its history to 1928 when Founder James B. Davis formed it as a student quartet In Greenville, S.C. Tucker was a teenager when he auditioned for lead singer in the late 1930's. He remained lead singer for decades thereafter, bringing a mixture of gospel and blues to the groups style, and adding an energy and versatility to their performances, according to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame that inducted the group in 2000. Many singers including the Temptations, James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Al Green were influenced by the group according to the National Endowment for The Arts which honored the Hummingbirds in 2000. In 2007 their album "Still Keeping It Real" was nominated for the Grammy for best traditional gospel album. |