During the '90s, industrial guitarist
William Tucker became a popular figure on the alternative and industrial scene, being best-known for his frequent live appearances with the band
Ministry.
William Tucker first achieved recognition with the band Regressive Aid, which also featured future members of
the Rollins Band. Supplementing his income by giving guitar lessons, one of
Tucker's most prominent pupils was Mickey Melchiondio, later known as
Dean Ween. After releasing a hit single with the Swinging Pistons,
Tucker came to the attention of
Al Jourgensen, who invited him to join
Ministry for the
The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour in 1989. After touring with
Ministry for almost a year,
Tucker became a much sought-after guitarist. Over the next ten years he played with
Pigface,
KMFDM, and
the Revolting Cocks, as well as joining industrial legend
Foetus for a rare live outing. He earned critical respect for his sensitive playing on
Chris Connelly's solo albums, in particular Phenobarb Bambalam. In 1999
Tucker once again joined the live incarnation of
Ministry, and made preparations for the lengthy tour that would follow the release of
Dark Side of the Spoon. Sadly, before the tour got under way,
Tucker committed suicide, on May 14, 1999. It has been suggested that he sought to escape the pain of a long-term illness, although this has not been confirmed.
William Tucker was 38. ~ Jim Harper