The Tymes

by Ron WynnThe Tymes began as the Latineers in 1956. This Philadelphia ensembles founding members were Donald Banks, Albert Berry, Norman Burnett, and George Hilliard. After a four-year apprenticeship on the citys club circuit, they changed their name to the Tymes in 1960 and added lead singer George Williams. They were signed by Cameo-Parkway in 1963 following a successful appearance at a talent show sponsored by Philly radio station WDAS. The group scored its biggest hit with its debut single, So Much in Love, a Williams composition rearranged by Roy Stragis and producer Billy Jackson. Their first LP, So Much in Love, contained both the title cut and follow-up hit, a cover of Johnny Mathis Wonderful, Wonderful. Those two songs were both crossover smashes as well as R&B winners, with So Much in Love topping the pop charts. But after a third hit, Somewhere, the next year, the group faded. The Tymes tried issuing albums on their own label, Winchester, but had to fold it after two releases. They signed with MGM, but were dropped after two flops. They enjoyed a brief comeback on Columbia in 1968 with another remake; this time they covered People from the musical Funny Girl. But CBS also dropped them in 1969. They spent three years retooling their sound, while Hilliard departed. Their longtime producer, Billy Jackson, financed some sessions at Gamble & Huffs Sigma Sound studios in an attempt to get them on the Philadelphia International roster. Gamble & Huff passed on the unfinished demos, but RCA signed them. They scored three more hits from 1974-1976, the biggest being Its Cool in 1976, which reached number three on the R&B charts and number 18 pop. Various aggregations using the name have remained active on the oldies/cabaret circuit in the 80s and 90s.