Trumann native Bob Tucker, pictured here between Ringo Starr (left) and George Harrison, toured with the Beatles in 1964. Tucker and the Bill Black Combo of Memphis were one of the opening acts for the Beatles on their United States tour. Tucker said he did not know who the Beatles were when he was asked to join the tour. (Photo provided)

Tucker was known for his musical talents when he was a student at THS. But nobody knew how far his music would take him…far from his roots in Trumann and deep into the music industry.

Tucker played with Bill Black's Combo and the group played 25 concerts with the Beatles. The Bill Black Combo opened for the Beatles during their 28 city tour of the United States in 1964. Tucker also played guitar with the Tarantulas on many of their recordings.

The son of Bob and "Cat" Tucker, Bobby Tucker grew up in Trumann. His dad owned a hardware store at the corner of Main Street and Ozark. His musical talent surfaced early. He was a well-known local musician while still in high school.

After graduation, he got a journalism degree, but music was his first love. He joined the Bill Black Combo, which at one time was the number one instrumental combo in the nation.

Later, when Black was stricken with a brain tumor that would eventually kill him, Bob Tucker took over leadership of the group.

Tucker's greatest memory of the group, however, was that 1964 tour opening for the Beatles.

"I got a call from our manager," Tucker said. "He said if we paid this guy $2,000, we could be added to the Beatles tour."

"I asked, "Who?"

Back then $2,000 was a lot of money to come up with.

"It was like $50,000 today," Tucker said. "I had never heard of the Beatles."

The group went on tour opening for the Beatles along with groups like the Righteous Brothers, Jackie DeShannon and the Exciters.

See next week's Democrat for more on this story