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Orrin Tucker

American saxophonist, bandleader, and songwriter. Born : February 17, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri. Died : April 09, 2011 in South Pasadena, California. He studied to be a medical doctor but ended up leading a popular band. Tucker bought the Hollywood ballroom on Sunset Boulevard, the Stardust Ballroom, in 1975 and fronted his band there and he remained an active orchestra leader into the 1990s. The Orchestra charted 16 times from 1939 to 1942. "Oh, Johnny, Oh, Johnny, Oh!" hit #2 in 1939, "At the Balalaika" rose to #3 in 1940, and "You'd Be Surprised" which hit #5 in 1940. Orrin charted three times in the U.S. as a songwriter: First, with "Especially for You" (#10) by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1939. "Pinch Me" (#10) and "Would'ja Mind?" (#15) by Orrin Tucker and His Orchestra in 1940.