Born in Albany, New York, Ron grew up in the Pentecostal church and from an early age sang in church choirs. His father Winford ran a record shop for a time from which Ronnie became interested in jazz, blues, soul, and popular music. He started playing drums at the age of 10 and started playing brass and woodwind instruments in junior high school and high school. In the late 1960s, Ronnie started playing in soul bands beginning his professional musical career as a trombone, keyboard player, and vocalist. In 1977, he came to Japan for the first time performing at numerous live venues.

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In 1986, his song "Friendship" won the Excellent Song Award at the 31st Yamaha PopCon Tsumagoi Finals. From 1991 to 1993 he also composed songs for and appeared in the English corner of Fuji TV's children's program "Hirake! Ponkikki." He has also appeared in many TV commercials and radio programs. In 1992, he started a vocal class and became the presiding officer of the Rucker Gospel Ministry to facilitate gospel music workshops. In 1994, the first gospel workshop for Japanese people was held in Japan. Gospel choirs were founded nationwide in the wake of workshops throughout the country. Ronnie Rucker is known as a pioneer in spreading gospel of gospel music to many people in Japan, the Father of Black Gospel Music.

 

Currently, he trains people who inherit gospel through the guidance, workshops, performer seminars, and conductor seminars of various gospel choirs, and also appears in churches, schools, weddings, and concerts in various regions. He also published gospel sheet music and textbooks for piano players who wrote and composed the lyrics.