Tucker was born Rivn (Rubin) Ticker in Brooklyn, New York, the son of RomanianJewish parents from BessarabiaHis father, Shmul (Sam) Ticker, and mother Fanya-Tsipa (Fanny) Ticker had already adopted the surname "Tucker" by the time their son entered first grade. His musical aptitude was discovered early, and was nurtured under the tutelage of Samuel Weisser at the Tifereth Israel synagogue in lower Manhattan
