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{{About|the Bee Gees drummer|the television composer|Steve Rucker (composer)}}
{{short description|American drummer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|image = [[File:Steve Rucker.jpg|thumb|Steve Rucker]]
|image = Steve Rucker.jpg
|imagesize = 250px
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|caption = Steve Rucker in 2015
|caption = Steve Rucker in 2015
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'''Stephen Rucker''' (born 2 March 1954) is an American musician and drummer who served as a drummer with many artists. His biggest and well known act was the [[Bee Gees]]. With the Bee Gees band, he appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'', [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]], the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] induction and a [[Royal Variety Performance]]. Rucker appears on the Bee Gees' ''[[One Night Only (Bee Gees album)|One Night Only]]'' recording and DVD.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker|url=http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-rucker_stephen_p_bio/|work=miami.edu|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> He is currently the Drumset Studies director of the [[University of Miami]]'s [[Frost School of Music]].
{{about|the Bee Gees drummer|the television composer|Stephen Rucker}}
'''Stephen "Steve" Rucker''' is an American musician and drummer. He was the drummer in the popular band the [[Bee Gees]]. With the Bee Gees band, he appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'', [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]], the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] induction and a [[Royal Variety Performance]] for the Queen of England. Rucker appears on the Bee Gees' ''[[One Night Only (Bee Gees album)|One Night Only]]'' recording and DVD.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker|url=http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-rucker_stephen_p_bio/|work=www.miami.edu|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Rucker attended [[Berklee College of Music]] in [[Boston]], and holds an Undergraduate Degree in Studio Music and Jazz and a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steve Rucker|url=http://www.efmmusco.com/SteveRuckerbio.htm|work=http://www.efmmusco.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>
Originally from [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], Rucker attended [[Berklee College of Music]] in [[Boston]], and holds an Undergraduate Degree in Studio Music and Jazz and a master's degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steve Rucker|url=http://www.efmmusco.com/SteveRuckerbio.htm|work=www.efmmusco.com|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820131707/http://www.efmmusco.com/SteveRuckerbio.htm|archive-date=20 August 2008}}</ref>


From September 1974 until May 1975, Rucker toured with the Charlotte NC based band, Sugarcreek. During this period he became the musical arranger for the seven-piece horn band, and wrote and recorded their first single, "Runnin' Out Of Time".<ref>{{cite web|title=Drummerzone - Steve Rucker|url=http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=af95ba717369ae371d4eb2bbb90c5b61&artist=Steve-Rucker|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>
From September 1974 until May 1975, Rucker toured with the Charlotte-based band Sugarcreek. During this period he became the musical arranger for the seven-piece horn band, and wrote and recorded their first single, "Runnin' Out of Time".<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=Drummerzone - Steve Rucker|url=http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=af95ba717369ae371d4eb2bbb90c5b61&artist=Steve-Rucker|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427111309/http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=af95ba717369ae371d4eb2bbb90c5b61&artist=Steve-Rucker|archive-date=27 April 2012}}</ref>


==Florida==
==Florida==
Rucker moved to Miami, Florida in 1976. Soon after, he was voted "Best Jazz Performer" and "Most Versatile Artist" in South Florida polls.{{fact|date=December 2015}} In the early 1980s, Rucker was a member of the Ross-Levine band, a ground-breaking jazz-fusion group. In addition to numerous appearances with them, he recorded "That Summer Something"<ref>{{cite web|title=All Music - Steve Rucker|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/steve-rucker-p120876/credits|work=www.allmusic.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> and "Humidity".
Rucker moved to [[Miami, Florida]] in 1976. Soon after, he was voted "Best Jazz Performer" and "Most Versatile Artist" in South Florida polls.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} In the early 1980s, Rucker was a member of the Ross-Levine band, a [[jazz fusion]] group. In addition to numerous appearances with them, he recorded "That Summer Something"<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|title=All Music - Steve Rucker|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/steve-rucker-p120876/credits|work=allmusic.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> and "Humidity".


==Ocean Sound Band==
==Ocean Sound Band==
While a member of Randy Bernsen's Ocean Sound Band in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he recorded tracks on "Paradise Citizens"<ref>{{cite web|title=All Music - Steve Rucker|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/steve-rucker-p120876/credits|work=www.allmusic.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> and "Calling Me Back Home", and performed many concerts internationally, including a billing with Miles Davis. In 1992, he recorded "Blues Hat Dances 'Round Midnight"<ref>{{cite web|title=All Music - Steve Rucker|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/steve-rucker-p120876/credits|work=www.allmusic.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> with Randy Bernsen and Onorino Tiburzi in Italy.
While a member of [[Randy Bernsen]]'s Ocean Sound Band in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he recorded tracks on "Paradise Citizens"<ref name="auto2"/> and "Calling Me Back Home", and performed in many concerts internationally, including a billing with Miles Davis. In 1992, he recorded "Blues Hat Dances 'Round Midnight"<ref name="auto2"/> with Randy Bernsen and Onorino Tiburzi in Italy.


In 1990, he recorded "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" with Gloria Estefan.<ref>{{cite web|title=All Music - Steve Rucker|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/steve-rucker-p120876/credits|work=www.allmusic.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> For many years, he performed nationwide with [[Ben Vereen]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Drummerzone - Steve Rucker|url=http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=af95ba717369ae371d4eb2bbb90c5b61&artist=Steve-Rucker|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> and appeared with Mr. Vereen with the Atlanta Symphony and the Dallas Symphony.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker|url=http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-rucker_stephen_p_bio/|work=www.miami.edu|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>
In 1990, he recorded "[[Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me]]" with Gloria Estefan.<ref name="auto2"/> For many years, he performed nationwide with [[Ben Vereen]],<ref name="auto1"/> and appeared with Vereen with the [[Atlanta Symphony]] and the [[Dallas Symphony]].<ref name="auto"/>


==Active Ingredient==
==Active Ingredient==
Rucker founded and [[record producer|produced]] the [[jazz]] ensemble Active Ingredient, a group of musicians from the University of Miami. The band debuted on Bainbridge Records in 1988 with "Building Houses," followed by "Extra Strength" in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/active-ingredient-p10005/biography|title=Active Ingredient|last=Henderson|first=Alex|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=30 August 2011}}</ref>
Rucker founded and [[record producer|produced]] the [[jazz]] ensemble Active Ingredient, a group of musicians from the [[University of Miami]]. The band debuted on Bainbridge Records in 1988 with "Building Houses," followed by "Extra Strength" in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/active-ingredient-p10005/biography|title=Active Ingredient|last=Henderson|first=Alex|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=30 August 2011}}</ref>


==Bee Gees==
==Bee Gees==
Rucker was a member of the Bee Gees band for ten years. In 1997, he appeared on a Bee Gees concert at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas]] which was shown on pay-per-view television, HBO, and was mastered as a live album. The recording of this performance sold over 5 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker|url=http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-rucker_stephen_p_bio/|work=www.miami.edu|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref> This led to a world tour of "One Night Only" concerts. The tour included playing to 56,000 people at London's Wembley Stadium on September 5, 1998 and concluded in the newly built Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia in March 1999.
In 1997, Rucker appeared on a Bee Gees concert at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas]] which was shown on pay-per-view television, HBO, and was released as a live album selling over 5 million copies.<ref name="auto"/> This led to a world tour of "One Night Only" concerts. The tour included playing to 56,000 people at London's Wembley Stadium on 5 September 1998 and concluded in the newly built Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia in March 1999.


Rucker also performed or recorded with [[Michael Jackson]], [[Paquito D'Rivera]], [[Barry Gibb]], [[Jaco Pastorius]], [[Joe Sample]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Ben Vereen]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Freda Payne]], the [[Woody Herman]] Big Band, the [[Tommy Dorsey]] Big Band (with [[Warren Covington]]), [[Sam Moore]] and [[Bob James]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker|url=http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-rucker_stephen_p_bio/|work=www.miami.edu|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Drummerzone - Steve Rucker|url=http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=af95ba717369ae371d4eb2bbb90c5b61&artist=Steve-Rucker|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>
Rucker also performed or recorded with [[Michael Jackson]], [[Paquito D'Rivera]], [[Barry Gibb]], [[Jaco Pastorius]], [[Cliff Richard]], [[Joe Sample]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Ben Vereen]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Freda Payne]], the [[Woody Herman]] Big Band, the [[Tommy Dorsey]] Big Band (with [[Warren Covington]]), [[Sam Moore]] and [[Bob James (musician)|Bob James]].<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>


==University of Miami==
==University of Miami==
Since 1979, Rucker has been the Director of Drumset Studies at the [[University of Miami]]. He directs the Funk/Fusion Ensemble, which has won ten Downbeat Student Awards.{{fact|date=December 2015}} In previous years has created Tower of Power Ensemble and Weather Report Ensembles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker|url=http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-rucker_stephen_p_bio/|work=www.miami.edu|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>
Since 1979, Rucker has been the Director of Drumset Studies at the University of Miami. He directs the Funk/Fusion Ensemble, which has won over twenty ''[[DownBeat]]'' Student Awards.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} In previous years has created ensembles performing the music of [[Tower of Power]] and [[Weather Report]].<ref name="auto"/> RUCKER also directs the RUCK Ensemble, an original [[hip hop]]/funk group.{{cn|date=December 2023}}


==Late career==
==Late career==


In 2008, Rucker created an avant garde duo with guitarist Tom Lippincott.
In 2008, Rucker created an avant garde duo with guitarist Tom Lippincott.


In 2010, Rucker recorded an album with composer Ron Miller, entitled "Peacock Park the Music of Ron Miller."<ref>{{cite web|title=Peacock Park the Music of Ron Miller|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ronmmusic|work=www.cdbaby.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>
In 2010, Rucker recorded an album with composer Ron Miller, entitled ''Peacock Park the Music of Ron Miller.''<ref>{{cite web|title=Peacock Park the Music of Ron Miller|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ronmmusic|work=cdbaby.com|accessdate=12 October 2011}}</ref>


Rucker completed an album in 2013 entitled "Conversions" with singer/pianist Hal Roland, in a live jazz quartet configuration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conversions|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/halroland|accessdate=10 April 2013}}</ref>
Rucker completed an album in 2013 entitled ''Conversions'' with singer/pianist Hal Roland, in a live jazz quartet configuration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conversions|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/halroland|accessdate=10 April 2013}}</ref>


In 2015, in collaboration with former student Jonathan Joseph, Rucker wrote and published "Exercises in African-American Funk," which contains a set of exercises for developing a fusion of African and American funk drumming elements. <ref>{{cite web|title=Exercises In African-American Funk|url=http://www.moderndrummer.com/modern-drummer-presents-exercises-in-african-american-funk/|accessdate=22 June 2015}}</ref>
In 2015, in collaboration with former student Jonathan Joseph, Rucker wrote and published ''Exercises in African-American Funk'', which contains a set of exercises for developing a fusion of African and American funk drumming elements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Exercises in African-American Funk|url=http://www.moderndrummer.com/modern-drummer-presents-exercises-in-african-american-funk/|accessdate=22 June 2015}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|35em}}
{{Reflist|35em}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2010}}


==External links==
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/steve-rucker Steve Rucker Interview - NAMM Oral History Library (2016)]
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Rucker, Steve
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American drummer
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rucker, Steve}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rucker, Steve}}
[[Category:People from Florida]]
[[Category:Musicians from Miami]]
[[Category:American drummers]]
[[Category:University of Miami Frost School of Music alumni]]
[[Category:University of Miami alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Musicians from Charlotte, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Berklee College of Music alumni]]
[[Category:University of Miami faculty]]
[[Category:20th-century American drummers]]
[[Category:American male drummers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]

Latest revision as of 08:23, 28 December 2023

Steve Rucker
Steve Rucker in 2015

Stephen Rucker (born 2 March 1954) is an American musician and drummer who served as a drummer with many artists. His biggest and well known act was the Bee Gees. With the Bee Gees band, he appeared on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and a Royal Variety Performance. Rucker appears on the Bee Gees' One Night Only recording and DVD.[1] He is currently the Drumset Studies director of the University of Miami's Frost School of Music.

Early life

[edit]

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Rucker attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and holds an Undergraduate Degree in Studio Music and Jazz and a master's degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.[2]

From September 1974 until May 1975, Rucker toured with the Charlotte-based band Sugarcreek. During this period he became the musical arranger for the seven-piece horn band, and wrote and recorded their first single, "Runnin' Out of Time".[3]

Florida

[edit]

Rucker moved to Miami, Florida in 1976. Soon after, he was voted "Best Jazz Performer" and "Most Versatile Artist" in South Florida polls.[citation needed] In the early 1980s, Rucker was a member of the Ross-Levine band, a jazz fusion group. In addition to numerous appearances with them, he recorded "That Summer Something"[4] and "Humidity".

Ocean Sound Band

[edit]

While a member of Randy Bernsen's Ocean Sound Band in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he recorded tracks on "Paradise Citizens"[4] and "Calling Me Back Home", and performed in many concerts internationally, including a billing with Miles Davis. In 1992, he recorded "Blues Hat Dances 'Round Midnight"[4] with Randy Bernsen and Onorino Tiburzi in Italy.

In 1990, he recorded "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" with Gloria Estefan.[4] For many years, he performed nationwide with Ben Vereen,[3] and appeared with Vereen with the Atlanta Symphony and the Dallas Symphony.[1]

Active Ingredient

[edit]

Rucker founded and produced the jazz ensemble Active Ingredient, a group of musicians from the University of Miami. The band debuted on Bainbridge Records in 1988 with "Building Houses," followed by "Extra Strength" in 1990.[5]

Bee Gees

[edit]

In 1997, Rucker appeared on a Bee Gees concert at the MGM Grand Las Vegas which was shown on pay-per-view television, HBO, and was released as a live album selling over 5 million copies.[1] This led to a world tour of "One Night Only" concerts. The tour included playing to 56,000 people at London's Wembley Stadium on 5 September 1998 and concluded in the newly built Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia in March 1999.

Rucker also performed or recorded with Michael Jackson, Paquito D'Rivera, Barry Gibb, Jaco Pastorius, Cliff Richard, Joe Sample, Johnny Cash, Ben Vereen, Bo Diddley, Freda Payne, the Woody Herman Big Band, the Tommy Dorsey Big Band (with Warren Covington), Sam Moore and Bob James.[1][3]

University of Miami

[edit]

Since 1979, Rucker has been the Director of Drumset Studies at the University of Miami. He directs the Funk/Fusion Ensemble, which has won over twenty DownBeat Student Awards.[citation needed] In previous years has created ensembles performing the music of Tower of Power and Weather Report.[1] RUCKER also directs the RUCK Ensemble, an original hip hop/funk group.[citation needed]

Late career

[edit]

In 2008, Rucker created an avant garde duo with guitarist Tom Lippincott.

In 2010, Rucker recorded an album with composer Ron Miller, entitled Peacock Park the Music of Ron Miller.[6]

Rucker completed an album in 2013 entitled Conversions with singer/pianist Hal Roland, in a live jazz quartet configuration.[7]

In 2015, in collaboration with former student Jonathan Joseph, Rucker wrote and published Exercises in African-American Funk, which contains a set of exercises for developing a fusion of African and American funk drumming elements.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Frost School of Music Profiles - Stephen P Rucker". miami.edu. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Steve Rucker". www.efmmusco.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Drummerzone - Steve Rucker". Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d "All Music - Steve Rucker". allmusic.com. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  5. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Active Ingredient". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Peacock Park the Music of Ron Miller". cdbaby.com. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Conversions". Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Exercises in African-American Funk". Retrieved 22 June 2015.
[edit]