The Tymes | |
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The Tymes in 1969
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Background information | |
Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
Genres | R&B, soul |
Years active | 1956–present |
Labels | Cameo-Parkway, Columbia, RCA, MGM |
Members | Albert Berry Norman Burnett |
Past members | Donald Banks (deceased) George Hilliard (deceased) George Williams (deceased) |
The Tymes are the American soul vocal group, who enjoyed equal success in the United Kingdom and in their homeland. They share the distinction of being one of the few acts to have one and only one chart-topper in both the US and UK with different titles.
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 US chart topper and million-seller in 1963, "Wonderful Wonderful", a remake of the Johnny Mathis classic hit from 1957, "Somewhere", "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 US, 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 and Cashbox Top 100 entry was "Groovy Baby" in July 1963.
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. The Tymes continue to perform with surviving original members Berry and Burnett. The group appeared on the 2003 PBS special My Music: Love Songs of the 50s and 60s, one of the last times all five original members performed live.