IRA TUCKERIra Tucker, who died on 24 June, 2008, aged 83, was the Michael Jackson of gospel music.Not only did he join his group, The Dixie Hummingbirds, as a teenager, but he also became one of the most engaging and innovative performers in the genre during an epic career.As lead singer he was known for his on-stage - and indeed, off-stage - energy, charging around between aisles of seats, leaping wildly into the air, tearing off clothes and dropping to his knees in prayer mid-song.As a result of Mr Tucker's showmanship and their vibrant musical style, The Dixie Hummingbirds popularised a less stoic version of gospel that would be adopted by hundreds of artists. The group also had longevity and were still performing at the time of his death.Ire B Tucker (the B didn't stand for anything) was born on 17 May, 1925, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He began his singing career at local tea parties but at 14 he approached James B Davis (his B stood for Bodie) to ask if he could audition for his band who had already been performing for a decade.Davis was impressed by the teenager's vocal talents as well as his self-assurance. He soon established himself as the group's front man and artistic leader, introducing advanced techniques such as melismas and syncopation that predated soul.The Dixie Hummingbirds had a joyous sound that invoked emotion with its lively R&B beats and rapturous shouting style. Mr Tucker had a classic blues voice that was equally comfortable growling through lazy ballads or screaming exuberantly in up-tempo numbers.As well as spreading their uplifting messages in black churches up and down the States, they enjoyed some cross-over success with secular audiences thanks to their collaboration with Paul Simon on the Grammy-winning hit Loves Me Like A Rock (1973).As late as 2007 they were nominated for another Grammy with their album Still Keeping It Real and continued to play live, even after the death of their founder James B Davis in April of that year. They were scheduled to appear at a concert in Brooklyn two days after Mr Tucker died, 70 years after he joined the group. He was survived by his wife of 66 years, Louise, a son, Ire Jr, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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