Mick Tucker
Encyclopedia
Michael Thomas "Mick" Tucker (17 July 1947, Harlesden
, North West London
– 14 February 2002) was the drummer and backing vocalist of the English
glam rock
band, Sweet
.
playing a mixture of R&B, Motown, and early psychedelic sounds. The band split in 1968. There are a number of recordings in existence including a cover of The Hollies hit "Ain't That Just Like Me" which was officially released in February 2011 on a compilation CD "Rare Mod, Volume 3" on the Acid Jazz label (AJXCD 238). The track features Tucker on drums and, according to band bassist Jan Frewer, is thought to have been recorded in 1965.
He was a founding member of the band "Sweetshop" in January 1968 along with Steve Priest
, Brian Connolly, and Frank Torpey, who was later replaced by Mick Stewart who was himself succeeded by Andy Scott
. "Sweetshop" was shortened to "The Sweet" in 1968.
In the basement Mick installed a sound studio. He also had a music room with silver and gold albums awarded from all over the world on the walls.
Mick enjoyed playing tennis, collecting glass figurines, cooking, and playing with his German Shepherd dog, Zeus. He loved expensive cars, furs, watches and jewellery. He also had countless pairs of shoes. He wore a chain with a half-moon and a star around his neck. It was his good luck charm.
, Hertfordshire
from leukemia
, aged 54. His funeral took place 25 February 2002. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Chorleywood House cemetery. The location is 51 degrees 39.644 minutes North.0 Degrees 30.330 minutes West.
A wooden bench with a brass plaque funded by fans as a dedication to Tucker is also positioned in the grave's vicinity.
He left behind a widow, Janet and a daughter Ayston from his first marriage to Pauline, who died in 1979.
Sweet bass player Steve Priest said about Tucker: "He was the most underrated drummer that ever came out of England. He was the powerhouse of the band. He was technically marvelous. His timing was impeccable but he had a lot of soul as well and he really felt what he was playing."
Guitarist Andy Scott said, "Mick Tucker was the best drummer around in the Seventies. I played in the same band as him and was proud to do so. I feel extreme sadness therefore that he has now left us and my heart goes out to Janet and Ayston with their sad loss. Miss you Mick."
Harlesden
Harlesden is an area in the London Borough of Brent, northwest London, UK. Its main focal point is the Jubilee Clock which commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee....
, North West London
North West London
North West London may refer to:*NW postcode area*Western part of North London...
– 14 February 2002) was the drummer and backing vocalist of the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
band, Sweet
Sweet (band)
Sweet was a British rock band that rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s as one of the most prominent glam rock acts, with the classic line-up of lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bass player Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker.Sweet was formed in 1968 and achieved their first...
.
Bands
In 1965, Mick joined "Wainwright's Gentlemen" with Brian ConnollyBrian Connolly
Brian Francis Connolly was a Scottish musician, best known as the lead singer of the British rock band, Sweet.-Early life:...
playing a mixture of R&B, Motown, and early psychedelic sounds. The band split in 1968. There are a number of recordings in existence including a cover of The Hollies hit "Ain't That Just Like Me" which was officially released in February 2011 on a compilation CD "Rare Mod, Volume 3" on the Acid Jazz label (AJXCD 238). The track features Tucker on drums and, according to band bassist Jan Frewer, is thought to have been recorded in 1965.
He was a founding member of the band "Sweetshop" in January 1968 along with Steve Priest
Steve Priest
Steve Priest is a founding member and bass player/backing vocalist of the glam rock band Sweet.-Biography:...
, Brian Connolly, and Frank Torpey, who was later replaced by Mick Stewart who was himself succeeded by Andy Scott
Andy Scott (guitarist)
Andy Scott is a British musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the lead guitarist and a vocalist in the band Sweet.-Early years:Scott started out playing bass guitar...
. "Sweetshop" was shortened to "The Sweet" in 1968.
Personal life
On the 16th of August 1973 Mick married his first wife, Pauline, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Ruislip, Middlesex. They then moved into a house in Beverly Drive, Ruislip.In the basement Mick installed a sound studio. He also had a music room with silver and gold albums awarded from all over the world on the walls.
Mick enjoyed playing tennis, collecting glass figurines, cooking, and playing with his German Shepherd dog, Zeus. He loved expensive cars, furs, watches and jewellery. He also had countless pairs of shoes. He wore a chain with a half-moon and a star around his neck. It was his good luck charm.
Death
Mick died 14 February 2002 in Welwyn Garden CityWelwyn Garden City
-Economy:Ever since its inception as garden city, Welwyn Garden City has attracted a strong commercial base with several designated employment areas. Among the companies trading in the town are:*Air Link Systems*Baxter*British Lead Mills*Carl Zeiss...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
from leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, aged 54. His funeral took place 25 February 2002. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Chorleywood House cemetery. The location is 51 degrees 39.644 minutes North.0 Degrees 30.330 minutes West.
A wooden bench with a brass plaque funded by fans as a dedication to Tucker is also positioned in the grave's vicinity.
He left behind a widow, Janet and a daughter Ayston from his first marriage to Pauline, who died in 1979.
Sweet bass player Steve Priest said about Tucker: "He was the most underrated drummer that ever came out of England. He was the powerhouse of the band. He was technically marvelous. His timing was impeccable but he had a lot of soul as well and he really felt what he was playing."
Guitarist Andy Scott said, "Mick Tucker was the best drummer around in the Seventies. I played in the same band as him and was proud to do so. I feel extreme sadness therefore that he has now left us and my heart goes out to Janet and Ayston with their sad loss. Miss you Mick."