Sensitive Facts About Tiny Tim, History’s Most Eccentric Singer
Tiny Tim was the high-pitched singer of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”. However, his quirky 15 minutes of fame wilted like a rose in winter.
1. He Tip-Toed His Way Through Life
In the late 1960s, Tiny Tim fascinated audiences with his weird outfits, ukulele, and falsetto so high that it could shatter glass—or wilt flowers. As a sensitive and tender-hearted musician, he just wanted to bring joy to people’s lives. In the end, however, he would have to tip-toe his way off stage and out of trouble with his ex-wives.
2. He Was Born Into A House Of Horrors
Tiny Tim, born Herbert Khaury in April 1932, only really ever wanted to bring people joy. But he had it rough from the very beginning. His mother was well into her 40s when she gave birth to him. It was such a difficult birth that doctors had to perform a C-section to deliver him safely. Safely into a house of horrors, that is.
3. His Parents Were Polar Opposites
Tiny Tim’s mother came from an Orthodox Jewish background. His father, on the other hand, came from a Maronite Christian background from the hinterlands of Lebanon.
His mixed heritage contributed to his unique look, but his life wasn’t always so cohesive. His parents fought constantly and Tiny Tim had to work hard to introduce harmony into their household.
4. He Was Always Musical
In between his parents’ constant bickering, Tiny Tim managed to hear the music. In fact, his musical talents were apparent from the very beginning. His first memory was listening to Henry Burr’s "Beautiful Ohio" when he was just three years old.
His mother even recalled that he used to sing with her at the tender age of two.
He hadn’t yet discovered his ear-splitting falsetto.