Tommy Tucker

Who is Tommy Tucker?

The Tommy Tucker Orchestra entertained many listeners as a big band in the 30s and 40s. Popular as a dance band, the Tucker orchestra played concert halls, theatres, hotels and various venues across the country—for a span of 25 years. Recorded for Okeh in June 1941, his biggest hit, I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire, achieved status as a Gold Record. Tucker wrote his own theme song, I Love You; it was published on four record labels, including Brunswick, in 1935, and MGM, in 1951.

Many listeners were familiar with the Tucker orchestra sound because they tuned into popular radio shows, such as Fibber McGee & Molly in 1936 and the George Jessel show in 1938, and several shows billed as Tommy Tucker Time.

Tommy Tucker opened each performance—on radio or live—with his signature "tic-toc, tic-toc, it's Tommy Tucker time." And he usually ended each session with Time to Go.