Tiny Tim:absurdity and sincerity

David Griffiths discusses the big man with the little voice

    AFFECTIONATE and even rather respectful mockery is perhaps the best description of Rowan and Martin's approach of Tiny Tim-again a guest this week.
    The man is obviously absurd-middle-aged but with a taste for the sort of sports clothes that were all the rage in the early 1940s; beak-nosed and big-toothed; falsetto-voiced; 6 ft. 3 ins. tall-a huge man with a somewhat giggly and simpering manner who fervently blows kisses to the fans.
    And yet he has real, if weird, vocal and ukulele talent. He's been entertaining for years, struggling along, calling himself Larry Love among other pseudonyms. His real name is Herbert Kauhry, his father is Armenian and his mother Jewish; he is devoted to her-she still mends his clothes-and treats all women as he treats her.
    According to his manager, Roy Silver, Tiny Tim has remained around twelve-years-old. 'He believes what he's doing completely,'Silver told me. 'He's always like that-if it's an act it's the greatest I've ever seen.'
    It was the use of light make-up that enabled Mr. Tim to find the character ingredient that he knew was missing. 'I discovered that cleanliness is really next to godliness. It makes me feel secure and much closer to people.
    'I searched long and hard for the best products with which to clean myself. I cleanse my skin about seventeen to twenty times a day, shower twice, and wash and cream rinse my hair. And I brush my teeth five times a day.'
    He describes his voice as 'flighty and romantic' and avers: 'There is a message in my music-to bring back the old songs and make people happy.'

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