LOS ANGELES (AP) - Bandleader Orrin Tucker has died at 100 in California. His orchestra had the 1939 hit “Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!” and he later owned the Stardust Ballroom in Los Angeles.
Daughter Nora Compere tells the Los Angeles Times that Tucker died on April 9 in the San Gabriel Valley.
He formed a band in 1933 and recorded his version of the 1917 song with vocalist Evelyn Nelson.
Tucker made more than 70 records in all, including several million-selling hits.
After appearing in the 1975 TV movie “Queen of the Stardust Ballroom,” Tucker turned a leased skating rink into the real Stardust, offering ballroom dancing and renting out the space for other functions.
He closed the ballroom in 1982 but continued to perform into the 1990s.
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Information from: Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com
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