In the '50s and '60s, Ervin “Big Daddy” Rucker was a Bobby Bland style big band blues singer. He released R&B records on Tennessee-based Duplex and San Diego-based Musette. He began recording on the GME label in the late '60s and teamed up with the Johnny Otis Show on singles like "This Is My Song" b/w "He Made You Mine" (Hawk Sound/Kent Records).

Rucker formed Big Daddy Rucker Blues in the seventies, with the band remaining extant in one form or another over the next 40-plus years. Marvin Gaye mentioned Rucker in his 1976 song "Since I Had You," singing "Big Daddy Rucker is sho' nuff playin', ah."

After Rucker died, the band continued on, later relocating to San Luis Obispo. Former Big Daddy Rucker Blues player Mike Dollins later co-founded the Cruize Brothers Band and drummer Willie Aiken continued playing locally for years.