Tucker Zimmerman, a San Francisco-born folk singer who performed for audiences for six decades and earned the admiration of David Bowie, died alongside his wife of more than 50 years in a house fire at their Belgian home.

Zimmerman, 84, and his wife Marie-Claire perished at their residence near Liege, Belgium, according to his record label 4AD, telling fans in a Jan. 19 Facebook post. Born Bryan Tucker Zimmerman in San Francisco during World War II, he leaves behind what the label described as “an extraordinary collection of records, compositions, poetry and short stories created over a 60-year career.”
The tragedy was confirmed by producer Tony Visconti, who posted on Facebook Jan. 18 that he received the news from Quanah Zimmerman, the couple’s son. “Tucker and his wonderful wife, Marie-Claire perished in a house fire yesterday. I am stunned,” Visconti wrote.

Visconti, who produced Zimmerman’s first album “Ten Songs by Tucker Zimmerman,” first met the musician and his wife in London in 1967. He described Zimmerman as “a master musician and song writer from San Francisco” whose “songs were biting and revolutionary.”

Visconti noted in his post that “David Bowie adored him,” referring to Tucker Zimmerman. Zimmerman performed at the Three Tuns in Beckenham, Kent, where Bowie provided “a proper psychedelic light show” during his Arts Lab night, Visconti said. The producer characterized Zimmerman’s sound as “like a very dark version of Bob Dylan.”

The couple had been together for more than half a century. In a chapter of his autobiography posted on Tuckerzimmerman.com, Zimmerman wrote extensively about their relationship. “The most wonderful of these friends is my companion, Marie-Claire. We’ve now been together for over 50 years,” he wrote. “Without her I would be nowhere in the world except six-feet under. Her love for me and her faith in what I do is beyond belief. She is my guide. She is my muse. She is my driver.”
Zimmerman had recently released new music and planned more. His final album “Music By River Words By Ear,” came out in July 2025. On New Year’s Eve, he told fans that another project was in the works. “A new record of new songs is currently being mastered & there will be news on that soon,” he wrote on Instagram.

In 2024, 4AD worked with Zimmerman on his album “Dance Of Love” with Big Thief. The label described his work as “a sonic memoir; a tribute to the people, experiences and sounds that have shaped his 84 years.”

Visconti reflected on their long friendship, noting they “had met up several times over the decades and made a podcast recently.” “He was one of my oldest friends,” Visconti wrote, adding, “I’m all choked up.”

“Both he and Marie-Claire were wonderful souls who loved one another deeply and brought light to so many people’s lives,” 4AD concluded in their announcement. “We know we are not alone in saying how honoured we are to have known them both.”