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Tiny Tim

Tiny Tim was the stage name of Herbert Khaury, an American singer, musician, and music archivist best known for his ukulele performances and falsetto singing.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tiny Tim was the stage name of Herbert Khaury, an American singer, musician, and music archivist best known for his ukulele performances and falsetto singing. He became widely known in the late 1960s for his version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" and remained a cult figure in American popular music.

Early life

Tiny Tim was born Herbert Khaury in Manhattan, New York City, in 1932. Sources describe him as the son of immigrant parents.

Career

He built a reputation as a performer in Greenwich Village and later reached national fame through television, especially after appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968. His performances combined old popular songs, ukulele accompaniment, and an unusual falsetto style.

Signature style and image

Tiny Tim became known for eccentric stage presentation, a high falsetto voice, and ukulele-based arrangements. His stage persona made him a distinctive figure in American pop culture.

Later life and death

Tiny Tim continued performing into the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. He died in 1996 in Minneapolis after collapsing during a performance.

Key facts

  • Tiny Tim was the professional name of Herbert Khaury.
  • He was known for singing in a distinctive falsetto voice.
  • The ukulele was his signature instrument.
  • He became famous in the late 1960s through television appearances and recordings.
  • His best-known song was "Tiptoe Through the Tulips".
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Canadian context

Tiny Tim had broad North American cultural reach and remains a reference point in popular music, novelty performance, and mid-20th-century television, all of which are familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Tiny Tim?
Tiny Tim was the stage name of American singer and musician Herbert Khaury, known for his ukulele performances and falsetto voice.
What was Tiny Tim's biggest hit?
He is best known for "Tiptoe Through the Tulips," which became his signature song.
What instrument did Tiny Tim play?
He was most closely associated with the ukulele.
When was Tiny Tim born?
He was born on 12 April 1932 in New York City.
When did Tiny Tim die?
He died on 30 November 1996 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiny_Tim
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates and places, occupation, ukulele playing, falsetto, best-known songs
  2. BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/23lXVV4B9rfL2WgFKfLJ6gy/how-tiny-tim-blew-my-mind-the-story-of-an-obsession
    Supports: Birth details, immigrant parents, death after a heart attack during performance
  3. The Ed Sullivan Showhttps://www.edsullivan.com/artists/tiny-tim/
    Supports: Signature instrument, Greenwich Village career, Ed Sullivan appearance, popularity, falsetto
  4. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0864097/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death places, death during performance, age at death