Tommy Tucker

Tommy Tucker

Gerald L. Duppler (May 18, 1903 – July 11, 1989), better known under his stage name Tommy Tucker, was an American bandleader. The Tommy Tucker Orchestra entertained many listeners as a big band in the 1930s and 1940s. 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 (Oh, How 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. In 1941, Tucker led the orchestra for a New York City version of the Pot o' Gold radio program, which was simulcast on three stations. 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born Souris, Died July 13, 1989 (Sarasota)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-040965	10-in.	10/13/1939	Stars over the campus	Bob Chester Orchestra ; Dolores O'Neill	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	songwriter
Victor	BS-044835	10-in.	2/19/1940	The man who comes around	Ozzie Nelson Orchestra ; Rose Ann Stevens	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble	songwriter
Victor	BS-045795	10-in.	12/21/1939	The man who comes around	Les Brown Orchestra ; Herb Muse	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal ensemble	songwriter
Columbia	W28039	10-in.	7/22/1940	The man don't come to our house anymore	Kerwin Somerville ; Tommy Tucker Time	Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo	leader
Brunswick	C1888	10-in.	5/25/1937	There's a man that comes to our house (every single day)	Sweet Violet Boys	String band, with male vocal solo and male vocal ensemble	songwriter
Brunswick	LA1268	10-in.	3/3/1937	In a little hula heaven	Kerwin Somerville ; Tommy Tucker Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	leader
Brunswick	LA1269	10-in.	3/3/1937	There's a lull in my life	Amy Arnell ; Tommy Tucker Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	leader
Brunswick	LA1270	10-in.	3/3/1937	Sweet Leilani (Lay-lah-nee)	Tommy Tucker Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal trio	leader
Brunswick	LA1385	10-in.	8/5/1937	Remember me	Tommy Tucker Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with vocal quartet
Brunswick	LA1387	10-in.	8/5/1937	Am I in love?	Ray Hoskins ; Tommy Tucker Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	leader
Brunswick	LA1578	10-in.	2/9/1938	A heavenly party	Tommy Tucker Orchestra ; Voices Four	Jazz/dance band, with vocal quartet	leader
Brunswick	LA1579	10-in.	2/9/1938	Somebody's thinking of you tonight	Amy Arnell ; Tommy Tucker Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	leader

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tucker, Tommy," accessed December 24, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/347936.

Tucker, Tommy. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 24, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/347936.

"Tucker, Tommy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 24 December 2025.