An Inconsequential 1960s Memory 

Do You Remember This Iconic 1960s Musical Performer and the TV Event that Rocketed him to Fame?

There are certain events, personal and public, that are remembered forever. We can recall them immediately and, no matter how young or old at the time, the occasions become imprinted permanently in our minds. Many of the major events in our lives, personally or on the world stage, shaped who we are today, for better or worse.

One of the events burned into our collective memory was the assassination of President Kennedy. Most Americans alive at the time know where they were and what they were doing when they found out Kennedy had been shot.

Then there are the insignificant events we recall, happenings that did not affect our life at the time, or ever. But they were hyped media moments. One event epitomized the outrageous culture of the 1960s. You may have witnessed the event on TV, read about it, heard about it, talked about it, and viewed pictures in the newspapers and magazines. 

On December 17, 1969, between 20 and 50 million Americans (the number depending on which account you read) witnessed the marriage of Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Tiny Tim, born Herbert Khaury in New York City on April 12, 1932, became famous for his very high-pitched voice, his ukulele, and his 1968 recording of the song, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”.   

Tiny Tim met his future bride at Wanamaker’s Department Store, a venerable Philadelphia establishment. Vicki waited patiently in line for Tiny’s autograph, they met and chatted and…the rest is history

Thousands of tulips were imported from Holland for the nuptials. I cannot remember if I watched the event live on TV. I was probably at college getting ready for winter break and may have sat in front of a small black-and-white TV in the dorm and viewed the wedding. I can see the couple, sitting on Carson’s couch, and during the ceremony standing together. Whether I saw it live or later, I do not know. But I was aware of the momentous happening when it occurred.

At the time of their marriage, Tiny Tim was 37 years old. Miss Vicki was just 17 years of age.  So happened to the blissful couple after that very public ceremony? 

The marriage of Tiny Tim to Miss Vicki, aka Victoria Mae Budinger, lasted eight years. They had one daughter named Tulip Victoria.

Tiny Tim married again in 1984, to Miss Jan (Jan Allweiss). Although the couple was legally married for ten years, they apparently never lived together. 

Tiny Tim married a third and final time in 1995 to Miss Sue (Susan Marie Gardner). They were married 14 months before he died of a heart attack at the age of 64 on November 30, 1996.