The Tymes

Formed initially as the Latineers in 1956, this Philadelphia group counted Donald Banks, Albert Berry, Norman Burnett, and George Hilliard as its founding members. After several years developing their act on the local club circuit, they adopted the name the Tymes in 1960 and recruited George Williams as lead singer. A strong performance at a talent contest staged by Philly radio station WDAS led to their signing with Cameo-Parkway in 1963.

Their debut single, the Williams composition “So Much in Love” reworked by Roy Stragis and producer Billy Jackson, became their biggest success by reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The accompanying first album, So Much in Love, included both that track and the follow-up single, a cover of Johnny Mathis’s “Wonderful, Wonderful.” The two songs registered as crossover hits and R&B successes alike, with “So Much in Love” claiming the number-one pop position. After their third chart entry, “Somewhere,” arrived the next year, the group’s momentum faded.

They attempted to issue their own releases on the Winchester label, yet closed the operation after only two albums. A subsequent contract with MGM ended after a pair of commercial disappointments. A short-lived revival came in 1968 on Columbia with their version of “People” from the musical Funny Girl, though CBS let them go in 1969.

The members spent the next three years reshaping their sound following Hilliard’s departure. Their longtime producer Billy Jackson funded sessions at Gamble & Huff’s Sigma Sound studios in an effort to place them on the Philadelphia International roster. Gamble & Huff declined the unfinished demos, but RCA offered a deal. From 1974 to 1976 the group logged three further hits, the largest being “It’s Cool” in 1976, which peaked at number three on the R&B charts and number 18 pop. Various lineups performing under the Tymes name continued to appear on the oldies and cabaret circuit during the 1980s and 1990s.