John L Posted June 30, 2008 Report Posted June 30, 2008 Ira Tucker, the lead singer of the Dixie Hummingbirds from the 1940s until very recently, passed last week As I didn't see an obit thread here, I decided to start one. Ira Tucker was one of a kind, and maybe the single greatest living figure in gospel music before his death last week (June 24). He spanned the complete golden age of gospel music, and had a huge influence on its development, particularly in the evolution quartet singing from Jubilee to Hard Gospel. Rebert Harris (who also passed very recently) and Ira Tucker were probably the most dynamic and important figures in this transition. The Dixie Hummingbirds with Ira Tucker at the helm consistently electricified audiences everywhere they sang. They left quite a recorded legacy as well, much of which has unfortunately still not made it to the CD era. With both Tucker and Harris gone, it really does feel like the end of an era. RIP Quote
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted June 30, 2008 Report Posted June 30, 2008 Sad news indeed. The last of the giants. I think the first Gospel album I ever bought was by the Dixie Hummingbirds. I was listening to one of their albums the other day. Will get a couple more on later. Definitely RIP Ira! MG Quote
Chalupa Posted July 2, 2008 Report Posted July 2, 2008 Local obit http://www.philly.com/inquirer/obituaries/...mmingbirds.html Quote
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