Biography

The Tymes are an American soul vocal group, who enjoyed equal success in the United Kingdom as their homeland. They share the distinction of being one of the few acts to have one and only one chart-topper in both the U.S. and UK with different titles.

Early career

The group was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1956 as the Latineers, by Donald Banks, Albert Berry, Norman Burnett, and George Hilliard. After a four year stint on Philadelphia's club circuit, they recruited a new lead vocalist, George Williams in 1960, and changed their name to The Tymes.

The Tymes had hits in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s with songs such as "So Much in Love", a U.S. chart topper and million-seller in 1963, "You Little Trustmaker" and "Ms Grace". The last of these became the group's biggest UK hit, reaching Number One in the UK Singles Chart in 1975, but barely dented the Billboard Hot 100 after the success of "So Much in Love". "Ms Grace", while only charting modestly in the U.S., was and remains a regional hit with the Carolina Beach Music scene.

The Tymes were also The Jewels, as in Billy Abbott and The Jewels, whose only Hot 100 entry was "Groovy Baby" in July 1963.

Later career

Their song "So Much in Love" was elected to the Songs of the Century in 2001. In 2005 The Tymes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. As of 2006, they were still performing, with three of the original five group members; they appeared on the PBS special My Music: Love Songs of the 50s and 60s.

Deceased members

• George Williams - born George Reginald Williams Jr, December 6, 1935, Philadelphia — died July 28, 2004, Maple Shade, New Jersey - Lead vocalist
• Donald Banks - died October 7, 2011 - bass

Discography

Billboard Hot 100 singles chart

• "So Much in Love" (1963) - U.S. Number 1
• "Wonderful! Wonderful!" (1963) - U.S. Number 7
• "Somewhere" (1963) - U.S. Number 19
• "To Each His Own" (1964) - U.S. Number 78
• "The Magic of Our Summer Love" (1964) - U.S. Number 99
• "Here She Comes" (1964) - U.S. Number 92
• "People" (1968) - U.S. Number 39
• "You Little Trustmaker" (1974) - U.S. Number 12
• "Ms Grace" (1974) - U.S. Number 91
• "It's Cool" (1976) - U.S. Number 68

Billboard 200 albums chart

• So Much in Love (1963) - Number 15
• Somewhere (1964) - Number 122
• The Sound of The Wonderful Tymes (1964) - Number 117

UK singles chart

• "So Much In Love" (1963) - UK Number 21
• "People" (1969) - UK Number 16
• "You Little Trustmaker" (1974) - UK Number 18
• "Ms Grace" (1975) - UK Number 1
• "God's Gonna Punish You" (1976) - UK Number 41

This biography is from Wikipedia, the free collaborative encyclopedia. Used under licence and subject to disclaimers. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors, and recent changes might not appear just yet. See the latest version of the article.

More from The Tymes

Image from Discogs