Tiny Tim was primarily known as a novelty act during his lengthy musical career but actually possessed a significant knowledge of vintage American pop and vaudeville songs that helped define his prodigious artistic output. His most well-known album God Bless Tiny Tim featured his hit song “Tip Toe Thru’ The Tulips with Me” and earned him placements on a myriad of late night shows due to the sheer uncanny valley nature of it all. Here was a six-foot man, thin as a rail with unkempt long jet black spindly hair, singing in an almost comically high falsetto voice accompanied by only a ukulele, awkwardly swaying back and forth.
And while his 15-minutes of fame would burn bright before fizzling out by the early 70’s, Tiny Tim’s vocal abilities would carry him to release music well into the mid-90’s. From his trademark falsetto to his deep baritone crooning voice (which gave him the ability to sing duets with himself like you’ll hear during “On the Old Front Porch”), Tiny Tim’s commitment to his craft was admirable. That commitment to his craft was also what unfortunately killed him– at the age of 64 he suffered a heart attack from complications from diabetes he was hospitalized for three weeks. Following his release, and against the advice of all of his doctors, Tiny Tim made his final appearance at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis. Remarking to his wife ahead of the show that he felt ill but didn’t want to disappoint his fans, he collapsed onstage during a rendition of “Tip Toe Thru’ The Tulips with Me” and never regained consciousness.
Standout Songs: “Tip Toe Thru’ The Tulips with Me”, “On the Old Front Porch”, “Then I’d Be Satisfied with My Life”
