Tommy Tucker (Born Robert Higginbotham)
March 5, 1933 – January 22, 1982
Tommy Tucker was an early R&B singer-songwriter and pianist who gave us the oft-covered 1964 hit, “Hi Heel Sneakers.” The upbeat tune shot all the way to #11 on the pop singles chart. His follow-up, “Long Tall Shorty,” written with Don Covay, was a modest hit. Tucker retired from the music business during the late ’60s and went to work selling real estate and writing for a local newspaper. On January 22, 1982, Tommy Tucker died after inhaling deadly fumes while refinishing his hardwood floors. He was 48 years old.