Mick Tucker, best known as original drummer in The Sweet, was born in London, UK as Michael Thomas Tucker on July 17, 1947.



Mick started off with Brian Connolly in 1966 in a band by the name of Wainwright's Gentlemen, a small-time club circuit band playing a mixture of Motown, R&B and Psychedelia. After Brian was kicked out of the band, Mick joined Brian in a new group called Sweet Shop, which later became The Sweet.



At that time Steve Priest joined the band, with guitarist Frank Torpey becoming the fourth member. Mick Stewart later replaced Frank after the band had released four singles. Andy Scott joined the band after Mick Stewarts departure. The band signed a deal with RCA records and teamed up with Chinn and Chapman who were responsible for the hit singles, Alexander Graham Bell - Funny Funny - Poppa Joe - CoCo - Little Willy - Wig Wam Bam -and Blockbuster.



Mick Tucker's role in Sweet songs became much bigger. By using his Floor tom and Bass in combination with his Snare drum, he created a typical drum style that became a trademark for many Sweet songs.



Without the assistance of Chinn & Chapman the band went into the studio in 1974, to record probably one of their best albums, Sweet Fanny Adams. This was a real Hard-Rock album, which would say goodbye to their soft side forever. Strangely enough, this album did not even reach top 20 in the album charts at that time, while it is today the most popular Sweet album amongst Sweet fans. By this time Mick had become one of the best drummers around, and his performance on songs like Set Me Free - Into The Night - Restless -Sweet FA, and Rebel Rouser are more than just a supporting role. More and more his drum style became a trademark for songs. By this time Mick had a Ludwig Double Bass drum set.



With the album Desolation Boulevard, The Sweet ensured they would get recognition as a Hard-Rock band. The song Solid Gold Brass contained every single musical technique the band ever played. Hard Rock mixed with Blues and Jazz. The Bass drum technique that Mick uses on this song is absolutely out of this world. Turn it down is a true heavy rock song, this ong was banned from the radio by the BBC.The album also contains their first self-written hit single; Fox on the Run, and the wonderful The Sixteens, in which Mick used his Timpani's. Mick also shows what he can do with his drumsticks on Man With The Golden Arm, a masterpiece drum solo.



Off the record marks another mile stone for Mick. For the very first time complicated Double Bass drum parts can be heard in She Gimme' Lovin', Hard Times, and Windy City (again with the trademark - Bass - FloorTom and Snare). When you add the superb drum work on Lost Angels and Funk It Up, Mick truly was the best all round Hard Rock drummer by then.





This album contains every aspect of music. Pop, Hard Rock, and Funk. Take a listen to Midnight To Daylight. Here you'll find more complicated drum riffs. Live, Mick is more aggressive then ever on his drum kit! Sadly no pro recordings have ever been released of the Sweet at this point.



After a successful tour through the U.S, Sweet changed everything! Their looks, hairstyle and their music. From a powerful Hard-Rock band into a Melo-Sympho band.



With the release of Level Headed it was obvious that there was no end to the musical experience of all musicians. Mick Tucker was more technical then ever before. Songs such as Love Is like Oxygen - Strong Love and Fountain, aren't the most difficult ones he ever played, but the way he did this was unheard of before. Lady of the Lake is a real treat for any rock drummer How was it possible that a powerful rock drummer could change so much of his style? Only Mick could do it. During live shows he proved that he was still the best. Sweet had developed to a full-pro-all-round band.



IIt was a surprise for most of the Sweet fans, when Cut Above The Rest was released. After the success of Level Headed, Sweet was back as a trio. Mick had developed himself to a real all round drummer. Different styles, a true Spanish rhythm on Call Me, mixed with a rocking chorus, heavy on Play All Night - going easy on a wonderful ballad Big Apple Waltz, a mixture of heavy rock, disco on Discophony and for the first time we hear Mick doing lead vocals on two songs. Dorian Gray (one of my favourite Sweet songs as a trio) and Eye Games (an acoustic song). Mother Earth was probably the biggest surprise. Barrchyms - Synth Toms and his Ludwig drum kit. Mick's talent is packed into this song. Although this record is a great one it didn't do that much in the charts. In Holland for instance the single Call Me didn't even get into the charts.



Waters Edge received little air play. Sweet went ahead with writing more and more rock/ pop songs. On this album Mick sometimes returns to the style he had at the beginning. You can hear the same beat on -Blockbuster, as on At Midnight, and also a real heavy beat in Give The Lady Some Respect. Sweet followed on with, -Tell the truth, which was a mixture of Sweet and E.L.O. While songs such as Getting Into The Mood For Love and Too Much Talking proved that they guys would not take it too easy. Own Up Take a Look at Yourself was sung by Mick, so this was the third song on which he did the lead vocals. Waters edge is a powerful pop album, and maybe that's why it did not get the attention that it should have. The album was too hard for the Pop fans, and too soft for the Hard Rock fans, who were discovering new bands like Iron Maiden. Never the less, Waters Edge is a really good album for those who like to discover new breaks for drummers, and singers who like real melodies



On Friday Februay 8th, 2002 Mick got unwell and on Saturday he was admitted to hospital. Mick Tucker died aged 54. He died in hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire on February 14th 2002 at 11.35 a.m. after a five-year battle against leukaemia. His wife Janet and daughter Aysten, 22, were at his bedside.



Mick 's Funeral took place at Christ Church, Choorleywood at 12.30 pm on Monday February 25th, 2002.



(text credits: Hans Ligtenberg / Chrissie Schoo)