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November 30, 1996
60’s ukulele-playing pop singer Tiny Tim died on this day.
He was born Herbert Khaury in Brooklyn, NY on April 12, 1930, the son of a Polish Jewish mother and Lebanese Catholic father.
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When growing up, Tiny Tim became a huge fan of radio-television legend Arthur Godfrey (left) and of his fifties show called Talent Scouts.
He learned the ukulele using a method book that came with a Godfrey-endorsed plastic Maccaferri Islander model – preferring to play it left-handed, but with the four strings arranged in the traditional right-handed way.
Despite being a ‘one-hit-wonder’ with the song Tip-Toe Thru’ The Tulips With Me, he achieved prominence and national attention through a number of appearances on TV’s Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. (above)
With his eclectic looks, odd demeanor and singing novelty songs with a warbling falsetto voice, he was quickly signed to a recording deal by Reprise Records.
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Tiny Tim in Toronto, Ontario, circa 1967
[Note] The pic above is for my fellow fans of hockey’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Tim is sporting an official Leafs’ jersey – #23 – worn by one of their most popular players from the mid-60’s, Eddie Shack.
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[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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TIP-TOE THRU’ THE TULIPS WITH ME
Tiny Tim
(Album Version)
[1968]
The original recording of ‘Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me’ by Nick Lucas had a remarkable ten-week run at #1 in 1929.
Tiny Tim’s 1968 cover version cult hit topped out at #17 on June 29th.
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Tiny Tim was married three times and had one daughter from his first marriage to Victoria Budinger (aka “Miss Vicki”). Their wedding was held on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on December 17, 1969, before 40 million viewers (above). Both Ed McMahon (left) and Carson looked a tad uncomfortable.
On this day in 1996, at the age of 66, he suffered a fatal heart attack just as he began singing his signature song at a benefit in Minneapolis.
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Song Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
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