Tiny Tim's one hit became his swan song.
Nearly three decades after he first crooned "Tip-toe 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," 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.
"He was certainly a prince of a man. He was so gracious and polite that that kind of became part of his `cartoon image,' calling everyone `Sir' and `Miss,' " said radio host Dr. Demento, also known as Barry Hansen, who is heard on about 100 stations.
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."