Tiny Tim, a ukulele-plunking crooner who made “Tiptoe Through the Tulips With Me” a novelty hit in 1968, died after falling ill while performing his signature song. The ukulele-strumming singer, known for his quavery falsetto and ukulele, had a final performance at a gala before his death, showing dedication despite health issues.
Tiny Tim’s signature song, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”, was introduced on a later appearance, and his later recording of the 1929 song became an unlikely hit. His 1968 hit, rendered in an unnerving falsetto, propelled the singer to fame. However, he fell ill while performing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”, and he suffered a heart attack and fell off the stage.
The heartbreaking way Tiny Tim died was that he didn’t seem to have time to feel pain. He died singing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”, and the last thing he heard was the applause. On September 28th, 1996, he suffered a heart attack on stage at a ukulele festival in Montague, Massachusetts. He actually died performing “Tip Toe Through The Tulips”.
Despite ongoing health problems, Tiny Tim’s unique style and unique falsetto made him a beloved figure in the 1960s. His final performance at a gala showed dedication despite ongoing health issues.
📹 Tiny Tim’s Death: A Truly Sad & Peculiar Story
Tiny Tim is best known for his unexpected hit song Tiptoe Through The Tulips in 1968, and although you may think of him an …
📹 Tiny Tim 1st Heart Attack (NOT fatal) September 1996, full video
Could you please welcome down with me mr tiny. Time. Thank you so much my dear friends for that lovely round of applause and …
I met him in person too. I went to one of his later in life appearances – I’m ashamed to say I went to mock him. Then we met and shook hands – he was so kind, his eyes were so kind – and I knew he just wanted what we all want: compassion & kindness. I was so ashamed of myself and complimented his hair color. He told me he used Miss Clairol 23 — and his eyes were full of gratitude for my small acceptance of him. This was an enormous lesson for me at the age of 25 – and I’ll be forever grateful that he was my teacher. Bless you, Tiny Tim — you taught me about kindness & compassion.
I met Tiny Tim in Galveston in 1975. We spent the day together shopping at the mall. He helped me shop for high heels. He told me he would have tickets for my family and me to go to his show with the Buddy Rich band. I didn’t go because I felt like I was coming down with the flu but my parents went and said it was great. He’s was such a kind man.
My dad was in the Ed Sullivan Orchestra…when I was a teenager, my friends & I used to hang out at the theater & we would wait at the back stage door to see folks as they came out…most were rude & wouldn’t stop to talk to anyone or sign autographs. When Tiny Tim came out he was super kind & friendly…he stopped to talk to us, & threw kisses & roses!!! I’ll always remember that day. Great times & memories!!!
I interviewed him in the mid-1980s while he was touring with a circus. He was a VERY NICE and VERY KIND man. As an entertainer, he was magic. The circus tent was filled with grandparents, parents and little children. He let the children come into the ring and they all danced around him as he played and sang and it seemed like EVERYONE was singing along with him. He gave so much of himself in his performances and it seemed like everybody loved him. I still have the tape from us trying to sing (I forgot most of the words) “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” during the interview. I only knew him for a couple of hours, but I remember him fondly.
Tim lived in Des Moines,IA for a time and I ran into him on 4th st. after leaving a coffee shop where he perform time to time. I said ” Hello,Tim” he replied ” Hello,friend” and walked on. He smiled as he spoke. Thankfully we in Des Moines always were Iowa nice to him and never hounded him for an autograph or any other stuff like that. R.I.P. Sir.
Tiny Tim was a musical genius; he knew hundreds if not more of the old tunes (plus some of his current day) and could tell you the year, the artist, and even the category number of the song in the official logs of music. He knew how to play multiple instruments and while his work ethic was hard core, he was always polite and appreciative of his audience. Rest well, Tiny Tim.
I became friends with Tiny Tim in the early 90’s. He was The Real Deal! He was kind, professional, very learned and completely unique. He was the easiest person to talk with, and I miss him more than words can say. So many people thought his persona was “An Act.” Far from it! He was 100% genuine and spoke his thoughts honestly. Simply said, he had the rarest of qualities in show business – honesty and integrity. I will forever be honored to have called Tiny Tim – My Beloved Friend.
Where do I begin, I met Tim mid eighties as I went to work for his booking agent here in nyc right after high school. He was the most generous and caring soul. I immediately felt as if I’ve known Tim all of my young life. Such a genuine human being even offering me the opportunity to share the stage with him on one of his gigs. Our friendship lasted for quite some time and I’ll treasure every second. RIP Tim
I remember meeting him when i was 11 years old. It was at a music store somewhere here in Ga. I was too shy to talk to him but my sister got an autograph picture of him. I remember how nice he was to us. I have read many of the comments and it’s very rare that i didn’t read one negative comment about him. What a great way to be remembered. RIP Tiny Tim.
Thank you for this article! I wondered what had happened to him as he just seemed to vanish. I was fascinated with his voice yet he spoke in a normal voice. He came across as a special innocent man,. Most definitely one of a kind. I still have Tiptoe in the tulips. I am now 77 but will never forget him. Bless you Tim.
My first intro to Tiny Tim was a 45rpm I bought at an estate sale some years ago and listened to it on a hand-cranked record player. I remember thinking, what an adorable song but well, the Internet did not exist back then so researching was made difficult. I am glad to have “found” him again and this dedication article had me in tears. Thank you for sharing!
Saw Tiny at the Austin Aqua Festival in 1989,along with Three Dog Night and Jerry Lee Lewis.He sang Yellow Rose Of Texas and put on a great show.Remember him from the sixties and Laugh-In.Had his “God Bless Tiny Tim” record in the 80’s,and it was definitely above average,and even touching on some tracks/RIP
I have to admit that back in 68, when Tulips song came out, along with his picture, yes, the voice unmatched his looks. For us, he was a freak; another new passing freak. BUT, he was so sweet and so classy when interviewed on TV, that he won our hearts. A grown-up with a sweet child soul. We learned to love him. I was sorry to learn about his death. NEVER judge a book for its cover, but for its content. That’s what I learned with Tiny. Thanks for your kind article.
I met Tiny Tim when he was in Perth Western Australia in the 1980’s and I purchased God Bless Tiny Tim when it came out in the 60’s, loved it then, still love it now in 2021 but now on MP3 format in my car so when he came to Perth I thought I would be cheeky and see if I could get it autographed. After he did his show in Forest Place he went down into the performers area below street level, a Perth DJ was at the entrance so I asked if he could please get for me Tinys autograph on my original LP I purchased in the 60’s. He said ” I can do better than that come with me”, down stairs sitting right in front of me was Tiny Tim, he shook my hand and was so gentle. He spoke to me asked me how I was so softly. He was very happy to sign and signed it to Mr Gary love and peace Tiny Tim, I have a few signed albums and t-shirts but his is on my pride and joy list
TINY TIM – an incredible talent – overlooked by his humor and stage appearance – True story here – I met him in the summer of 1985 or so – in the parking lot of the Rainbow restaurant on Sunset boulevard in West Hollywood, California – one early morning around 2 a.m. as the crowd was coming out to go home – TINY TIM was a gentleman and said hello to me – a complete stranger, Joe Nania a.k.a. Hollywood Joe
Tiny Tim died doing what he loved. I think he deserves all the accolades he has been given. When someone works so hard to bring love, peace and joy to others, they DESERVE the recognition. He was a gentle man with a gentle soul. Long may he be remembered as the legend he is and may he be tiptoeing through all the tulips and wildflowers forever. Bless him always
Jocelyn Carter: I loved Tiny Tim! He was stange, but, cool. He deserved every award because that was very brave and creative of him to get in front of people and sing “Tiptoe to the Tulips”…… wow. I think, it became a hit because, at the time, America was going through some pretty crazy stuff, so, I think we needed to hear something light and whimsical! Thank you Tiny Tim! Rest in paradise where there are tulips all around you!’
Forget “On The Good Ship Lollipop”, “Great Balls Of Fire” or even “Tiptoe Through The Tulips” his best song by far was “Ever Since You Told Me That You Love Me (I’m A Nut)” Wow !!! The Birds are coming, every time I play it I just laugh out at his great humour. This world needs people born outside the box like Tiny Tim … R.I.P. Tim 🙂
A few decades ago, I stopped at a smoke shop at Amsterdam & 73rd to get a newspaper. When I turned around, Tiny Tim was in line behind me. I couldn’t believe it and asked for his autograph and what he was up to. He kindly obliged and told me he was heading to a gig at a Holiday Inn in Tennessee. I couldn’t wait to tell my parents and friends about meeting the big man, TT!
I met Tiny Tim when I was 3yrs old. Tiny Tim and Miss Vicky lived less than a 1/4mile from my Grandma’s house and I used to go with her to talk and deliver Avon products to Tiny Tim and Miss Vicky all the time till they moved away when I was 6yrs old. I especially remember when I met Tiny Tim, he sang & played “Tip Toe Through the Tulips” on his Ukulele. I sat right in front of him all the time. Also, I sat on Tiny Tim’s lap while he let me strum on his Ukulele with his help. I thought it was really fun. Tiny Tim and Miss Vicky were so kind. I remember Miss Vicky having cookies and milk for me and making tea for my Grandma, Tiny Tim, & herself. The first time I met them, Tiny Tim put me on his shoulders and walked me from inside his house out to my Grandma’s car & they would wave as we pulled away. That happened every time we’d come over. I remember my Grandma not thinking it was anything big to be living near a celebrity and selling Avon to Miss Vicky. But as soon as Tiny Tim opened his door, I knew exactly who he was and couldn’t wait to ask him to sing and play “Tip Toe Through the Tulips”. My Grandma tried to hush me a bit. But Tiny Tim said it’s alright with a smile. By the way, this all took place in Marysville, Michigan & what great memories they are to have spent time with Tiny Tim and Miss Vicky as a child. It’ll be a special time in my life that I won’t forget being with them and especially with my Grandma.
I hosted Tiny Tim a few times in Albany New York. He was living at the Oldham Hotel in NYC. He came and performed at The SWaterworks Pub, a large Gay Bar in Albany. What a great guy he was. He was a bit on the “strange” side. Whenever I would take him out to eat before a performance, I had to ask the establishment to give him plastic utensils to eat with. He loved peanuts and Miller Lite to have at the venue. He played lottery scratch off tickets incessantly. A couple of times I took him to a local Supermarket where he would bring in his Ukelele and play it in the aisles. After he had his heart attack and was recovering in Massachusettes, a short drive from Albany, he would call me almost daily to report on his progress. It seemed like no time at all that word got to me that he died. He was making $50,000 per week in Vegas at the height of his fame. I booked him for $500.00, a train ticket and a hotel room in Albany. He was a sweetheart of a man. RIP Tiny.
I remember when I first saw TT on LAUGH IN. After hearing him and perusal him….I was speechless. WTH did I just see. I liked him. Thought he was a gag but was really legit. Sorry to hear of his sad marriages, medical, and ultimate passing away. I think he deserves the recognition he has coming. He earned it. I think of him as a predecessor of GLAM ROCK. His poor mom, didn’t understand him. I can just hear her, “OI” what has happened to my son. Love his father. He understood. Give TT his due recognition. Thanks Tiny Tim, for the shock and awe of your artistic abilities. Miss your falsetto voice. UGH! LOL!
I met Tiny Tim in Williamson West Virginia after he was finished doing a Radio Show with our local radio station WBTH .. He was really nice and even let me play his Ukulele .. I had taken my copy of the album ” God Bless Tiny Tim ” ( on which I had from a child ) for him to sign .. He looked at it and wanted to buy it from me !! Saying = That he himself did not even own a copy of the album .. I could not sell it to him, for that, it had been a gift from my mother .. So we went round and round about him wanting to buy the album .. On which, He did sign it for me and then we took a photo together !! He was such a Good Soul and I will always remember my time with him !! God Bless You Tiny Tim !!
I wasn’t born until 1968 but a few years later my mom would always sing Tiptoe Through The Tulips to me. My mom was the best mother in the world and raised me up with a lot of her ways. I really miss her so much and I will have to listen to the song again just to go back and remember how sweet and wonderful my mom really was. Thank you for another great article Facts Verse and I look forward to getting your next notification. I noticed your subscribers have grown a lot and I’m so glad to see how well your website is taking off. Keep up the good work 🌟
Yes, I remember his song tttt; it was a favorite whether we joked and laughed, the song was still catchy – even for black kids here in NY. He might have been the poster boy/man for people who just wanted to be themselves – eccentric, funny-lookin’ – what ever – he was still created in love. Thanx for a reflection.
I was a child during the late 1960s when he would appear on variety TV shows, singing Tip Toe Through the Tulips. I watched him on Carson’s Tonight Show, and watched when Tiny Tim married Miss Vicki. I think they married on Carson’s show. He made me giggle back then just by looking at his TV performances.
Tiny Tim was a true stage performer. What you saw and heard was truly from his heart. Tim was no stage actor like many other musicians then & now. Tiny Tim was everything about him, and more. He was no fake character. He gave his heart & soul to everyone around him every minute of his life. Tiny Tim loved life, and really loved his life as well. Wish more people would act kindly to others like Tiny Tim did. He was God’s great example of how He created people originally. RIP in Heaven Tim. You really deserve it.
I spent half a day with him in London, Prior to his show in Islington. He gave some money to a beggar in the street, saying “There but for the love of God go I”! Then I took him to a shop which sold Very old Sheet music.. He bought about three old songs and was delighted. He mentioned his bad heart to me, and told me that he thought that he didn’t have very long. He was not afraid to die because of his faith. One of the nicest and honest people I have ever met. Less than six months later, he was gone.
His connection to Sydney Australia was a strong one … it was here he made his world record breaking concert of songs performed without repeating a song … no one ever knew as many songs as Tiny Tim. he was the muse for Australian artist Martin Sharp, who created a number of art works celebrating his friend. Altogether, he was a remarkable, one of a kind human being.
I saw Tiny Tim perform live in Laughlin, Nevada in the 1990’s. He was headlining a show called “Jukebox Giants”, a lineup of one-hit wonders from the 1960’s. The tickets were cheap and we went to the show as a goof, to say we had been to a Tiny Tim show. HE. WAS. AMAZING. He performed his signature song “Tiptoe Thru the Tulips” but also did a medly of other tunes. He actually sang with a lovely baritone voice, the high falsetto was a gimmick. I realized he was imitating the sound of a gramophone record. The lady who ran the coffee shop told us Tiny Tim was a lovely man, very sweet, but the poor fellow was almost crippled with arthritis and had a really hard time getting around. I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
As a professional musician I can say I love what he did. His pitch is almost flawless, and he found his groove. That was very important. If he would have sang out of tune, he would not been successful. After all, what is the definition of art? Well, art is what the artist is creating. It’s up to us how we interpret it. He was a one of a kind artist.
He’s a SpongeBob legend. And it sucks he didn’t get to see his music reach multiple generations surpassing his life because of SpongeBob. He’s basically immortal now with the Insidious installments. He didn’t even really get to SEE the major success of his music DECADES later. But that’s a theme now with older artist and social media.
I wasn’t born yet when Tiny Tim made his debut yet I knew of him from what people told me. I also remember hearing of his death and that he’d played “Tiptoe” just before he passed away. At the time, I thought, perhaps he wanted to know that in the end, he made people happy and that made him happy. From listening to this and other biographies, I have a feeling that Tiny had a sense that the end was near and that if it was, at least, it should end on a positive note, so to speak. Tiny Tim was very talented yet underrated for his musical abilities from what I read. Also from perusal his performances, it was obvious that he loved what he did and the audiences appreciated what he had to offer. Of course, when he started to play “Tiptoe,” it was as if the audience was entranced by him. People have dismissed him as “a novelty act” and even called him an oddball, but nobody’s perfect. Tiny Tim was far from perfect but he did what he loved doing and in doing that, entertained many people. I believe that his performance of “Tiptoe through the Tulips” led him to being of iconic status and he’ll remain an icon for the years to come.
I Knew Tiny to be Genuine and a Really Good Man. He was a walking Encyclopedia of knowledge of Vaudeville and Early days of Hollywood. Was Multitalented and Had a Hidden Sense of Humor that would show itself in Conversation. Actually was a Very Moral Man and lived it. He passed Doing what he Loved which was Entertaining anyone who cared. God Bless Tiny Tim Friend to All.
Tiny Tim was one of a kind. I always said that he and Pee Wee Herman were perfect characters that should have been made into cartoons! His death, though tragic, was wonderful for him, in that he died doing exactly what he loved. I remember the Tonight Show, where he and Miss Vicky were married. I watched it on TV.
This is a comment for the commenters: I read every comment here and THIS is a testament to Tiny Tim in ways that matter! The comments are sweet, kind, loving: All the things TT was hoping to spread in his lifetime and beyond. Please take those memories/feelings and teach them to your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, etc. They are so important today more than ever! Gratitude and love to all of you!
He had the guts to go way out there. His song Tip Toe thru the Tulips was on many jukeboxes, even in the honky tonks. I was sitting in one, one night and some good ol boy was heading over to pick some tunes and another guy chuckled as he said, “Play that Tip Toe song”. They laughed about it, but they liked it, even tho they wouldn’t admit it. JCA of the USA
Great tribute to a talented performer. Tiny Tim was a pop icon of the 60’s and 70’s. The character that he created was genius. As a cultural and pop icon he deserved to have a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame. When I was a boy he was an annoying but funny character. It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered his genius.
You asked if we think TINY TIM deserved the acclades he received. He most certainly done he did something that none of us would ever do. He became a phenomenon just by laughing at himself. And he did it with a flare that no other entertainer has ever done before .unlike some of today’s so called musicians. Tiny Tim’s style of entertainment will last forever. HOPE he is tip toeing through the tulips right now R.I.P. and thanks
The world only saw “Tiny Tim” the one-hit wonder novelty act. It never saw the talented, accomplished musician & knowledgeable musicologist underneath that was Herbert Khaury. It’s a shame, because it might’ve saved his life. God Bless TT was released on Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label. Even Ol’ Blue Eyes saw something in him.