BERKLEY, MI — Hard rock soundman extraordinaire Kelly Michael Tucker, of Berkley, MI, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020. He was 35.
Born on June 9, 1984 in Royal Oak, MI to Christina and Michael Tucker, Kelly Tucker attended Berkley High School and later graduated from the Specs Howard Broadcast Media Arts program. However, his love and passion for music drew him back to the live music scene. He played rhythm guitar in multiple heavy metal/hard rock bands over the years such as Shudder and Through Our Eyes.
One night, while playing a show at the Ritz in Warren, MI (now the Hot Rock Bar), Kelly stepped up to work as the sound engineer when the scheduled one failed to show up. That night he discovered his good ear for music and natural talent made him a perfect fit as an audio engineer. He pursued sound mixing as his career and traveled extensively, with clients such as metal bands Wilson, Bury Your Dead, A Killer’s Confession and Kissing Candice — to name a few — and at many regional venues including: Saint Andrew’s Hall, The Shelter, Harpos Concert Theatre and The Machine Shop Concert Lounge.
Tucker also ran his own small sound company (Excalibur Audio, LLC), had worked for Thunder Audio and ran audio for the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise ship music festivals. Most recently, Tucker served as FOH/production manager for Diesel Concerts Detroit.
Michael Tucker is survived by his parents Christina and Michael Tucker, his brother Nicholas Tucker, his cat Onyx, and many loving and supporting friends. He will long be remembered and will be missed by all who knew him. Rest well, friend.
