Herbert Butros Khaury (April 12, 1932 – November 30, 1996), also known as Herbert Buckingham Khaury and known professionally as Tiny Tim, was an American singer, ukulele player, and musical archivist. He is best remembered for his cover hits "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" and "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight", which he sang in a falsetto voice.
Khaury was born in Manhattan, New York City, on April 12, 1932. His mother Tillie (née Staff), a Polish-Jewish garment worker, was the daughter of a rabbi. She had immigrated from Brest-Litovsk, present-day Belarus, as a teen in 1914. Khaury's father, Butros Khaury, was a textile worker from Beirut, present-day Lebanon, whose father was a Maronite Catholic priest.
Links to Peel
In an interview with Rave magazine, published in February 1969, Peel was asked whether artists like Tiny Tim and Arthur Brown were accused of offering sensationalism than music, which he replied:
"No. I wouldn't agree at all. Take Tiny Tim first; what he is doing he has been doing for twenty years, so he can hardly be described as doing something just to cash in. Having spoken to him, I believe he is a very sincere person, and a very innocent person, which are the things that come across in his interviews. Everyone says, 'Oh, come on, you've got to be joking', but as far as he's concerned, it's all very real. The people who were with me when I was talking to him felt the same way. We were all prepared at the time to put him down, but we were very impressed by hi,m and convinced of his honesty. The people who are with him are pretty grotesque - all sorts of American businessmen in form-fitting shot silk suits, rather terrifying, and they obviously don't give a damn about what he thinks, they are just in there after the money." [1]
Peel was enthusiastic bout the singer in the late 60's and allegedly praised his album, God Bless Tiny Tim, in the International Times, but lost interest in him by the time the 70's arrived.
Shows Played
- 19 May 1968: Tip-Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me (LP - God Bless Tiny Tim) Reprise
- 26 May 1968: Ever Since You Told Me That You Love Me (I'm A Nut) (LP - God Bless Tiny Tim) Reprise