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Ukulele-strumming singer Tiny Tim dies at age 64
12/02/96 -- Lancaster New Era (PA)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Tiny Tim's one hit became his swan song. Nearly three decades after he first crooned "Tiptoe Thru' the Tulips" in his trademark falsetto voice, the
ukulele-strumming singer fell ill while performing his signature tune and died.
Tiny Tim had recently said that he was born April 12, 1932, making him 64, although over the years
he had sometimes fibbed about his age.
His widow, Susan Khaury, said he cut short "Tiptoe" during a benefit for the Woman's Club of Minneapolis and told her he was not
well. She was trying to help him back to their table when he collapsed.
"That wasn't his style to die in bed. He went out with a big bang. Very theatrical. That was his way,
to collapse in front of hundreds of people," Mrs. Khaury said Sunday.
Tiny Tim died at a Minneapolis hospital late Saturday. A hospital spokeswoman said the cause apparently
was cardiac arrest, but a final determination would be made later.
Born Herbert Khaury, Tiny Tim built his career on his single hit song in 1968, his stratospheric falsetto, an
asexual and childlike stage persona and a flair for self-promotion.
The 6-foot-1 entertainer with long, frizzy hair was given his stage name in 1960 by an agent who had been
working with midget acts. He made his first national television appearance on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in."
In an era of acid-tinged performers, the older Tiny Tim
seemed to offer a benign, comic foil. "Tiptoe Thru' the Tulips" is a remake of a 1929 hit by Nick Lucas, but Tiny Tim appropriated the song on behalf of the flower generation.
Tiny Tim's 1969 marriage to Vicki Budinger, whom he called "Miss Vicki," on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" attracted an audience of 40 million viewers. They
had a daughter, Tulip Victoria, before they divorced.
The performer was known for his falsetto, but also sang in a baritone. His albums include "God Bless Tiny Tim,"
"Prisoner of Love," "Rock," and "Girl."
Tiny Tim moved to Minneapolis in 1995 after marrying Mrs. Khaury, his third wife.
He had suffered
from congestive heart failure, diabetes and other problems.
His doctors warned him he might live only another year or two.
"I am ready for anything that
happens," he said after his release. "Death is never polite, even when we expect it. The only thing I pray for is the strength to go out without complaining."
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