California folk singer loved by David Bowie dies alongside wife in house fire

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Californian singer-songwriter Tucker Zimmerman has died aged 84 following a house fire.

The folk artist, a favorite of David Bowie, passed away on January 17th with his wife, Marie-Claire Lambert, at their home in Belgium.

A local couple, married for over 50 years, died from lack of oxygen, according to news reports.

Zimmerman’s record label 4AD confirmed the news of his death.

‘It is with tremendous sadness we announce the passing of Tucker Zimmerman,’ they said.

Over his 60-year career, he created a remarkable body of work, including recordings, musical pieces, poems, and short stories.

Tucker Zimmerman’s first album, simply titled ‘Ten Songs by Tucker Zimmerman,’ came out in 1969 and was produced by Tony Visconti.

I always knew David Bowie had incredible taste, and it’s fascinating to learn more about his influences. Tony Visconti, who worked closely with Bowie on albums like Heroes and Young Americans, shared that Bowie was a huge admirer of Bob Dylan’s work – that really makes sense to me when I listen to both of them!

Paying tribute on Facebook, he said: ‘He was one of my oldest friends. David Bowie adored him.’

In 2003, David Bowie highly recommended Tucker Zimmerman’s album, Ten Songs, calling it one of his all-time favorites.

Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2003, he said: ‘The guy’s way too qualified for folk, in my opinion.

He studied music theory and composition, learning from composer Henry Onderdonk, and received a Fulbright scholarship. His musical ambition is to become the next Bob Dylan.

Some might see this artist’s fiery skill as misspent, but I’ve always been captivated by this album’s intense and powerful songs.

Zimmerman wrote over 800 songs in his lifetime.

In 2024, Big Thief not only played as the backing band on his album, Dance of Love, but also helped produce it.

His final album, Music by River Words by Ear, was released in July 2025.

Zimmerman and his wife Marie-Claire, 81, married in 1975 after meeting in Rome, Italy.

They welcomed their son, Quanah, in October 1976.

‘We’ve now been together for over 50 years,’ Zimmerman said of his wife on his website.

‘She’s stood by my side thru thick and thin, storms and calm weather, rain, ice and heat waves.

I owe everything to her. Without her support and belief in me, I wouldn’t have made it this far. She inspires me, keeps me focused, and pushes me forward – she’s my everything.

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2026-01-21 17:03