William Tucker (1961 – May 14, 1999) was an American guitarist whose credits included work with

Ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...

My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult (often shortened to Thrill Kill Kult or TKK) is an American electronic industrial rock band originally based in Chicago and founded by Groovie Mann (born Frankie Nardiello) and Buzz McCoy (born Marston Daley). ...

Pigface Pigface is an American industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin. History Pigface was formed from Ministry's ''The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste'' tour, which produced the ''In Case You Didn't Feel Lik ...

Chemlab Chemlab is an American industrial rock band formed in Washington D.C. in 1989 by Dylan Thomas More, Joe Frank, and Jared Louche (then known as Hendrickson). Influenced by the pioneers of the industrial genre, such as Throbbing Gristle, Chemla ...

, and Chris Connelly. He grew up in New Jersey, where he formed

Regressive Aid Regressive Aid was an instrumental band consisting of Simeon Cain (drums), William Tucker (guitar), and Andrew Weiss (bass guitar), managed by Tom Burka. Regressive Aid frequently played at City Gardens, a punk rock club in Trenton, New Jersey. ...

with Andrew Weiss and

Sim Cain Rollins Band was an American rock band formed in Van Nuys, California. The band was active from 1987 to 2006 and was led by former Black Flag vocalist Henry Rollins. They are best known for the songs "Low Self Opinion" and " Liar", which both e ...

(both later of Gone and the

Rollins Band Rollins Band was an American rock band formed in Van Nuys, California. The band was active from 1987 to 2006 and was led by former Black Flag vocalist Henry Rollins. They are best known for the songs "Low Self Opinion" and " Liar", which both e ...

). He also taught the guitar to locals, one of whom was Mickey "Dean Ween" Melchiondo of the alternative band

Ween Ween is an American rock band from New Hope, Pennsylvania, formed in 1984 by Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, better known by their respective stage names, Gene and Dean Ween. Generally categorized as an alternative rock band, the band are ...

. After the release of the single "(Ever Since I Was Young) I Love the Sound of Machines" with the Swinging Pistons in 1986, he came to the attention of Ministry's

Al Jourgensen Alain David Jourgensen (born Alejandro Ramírez Casas; October 9, 1958) is a Cuban-American singer, musician and music producer. Closely related with the independent record label Wax Trax! Records, his musical career spans four decades. He is be ...

, who invited him to join his band for their "The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste" tour in 1989. After a year of touring with Ministry, Tucker became a much sought-after musician. On May 14, 1999, 38-year-old Tucker was found dead in his apartment of an apparent suicide after taking an excess of prescription pills and slitting his own throat.

References

External links

William Tucker memorial page
1961 births 1999 suicides American industrial musicians American rock guitarists American male guitarists Guitarists from New Jersey Ministry (band) members 20th-century American musicians My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult members Pigface members 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American male musicians 1999 deaths Drug-related suicides in the United States Suicides by sharp instrument in the United States {{US-rock-guitarist-stub