Charles Pope Of The Tams Dies At 76 - Noise11.com
Charles Pope The Tams

Charles Pope The Tams

Charles Pope Of The Tams Dies At 76

by Roger Wink, VVN Music on July 15, 2013

in News

Charles Pope, co-founder of The Tams, died on Friday morning at his home in Atlanta at the age of 76. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s, a battle that had been documented on the reality series Tiny and Toya and T.I. and Toya: The Family Hustle on BET.

The Tams were formed in 1952 by Charles and his brother Joseph Pope along with Horace Key and Robert Lee Smith. They honed their craft until 1960 when they signed with Swan Records, adding Floyd Ashton to the lineup and changing their name to reflect the Tam O’Shanter hats that they wore when they performed.

In 1962, the group signed with Arlen Records and had their first hit with the Joe South song Untie Me which went to number 12 on the R&B and 60 on the Pop charts. The popularity of the record got them signed to ABC-Paramount Records where, in early 1964, they went to number 9 with their biggest hit, What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am).

The Tams continued to release records through ABC during the 60’s but never achieved a similar success, although the record Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy (1968 / #26 R&B / #61 Pop) has gone on to become a classic of the Carolina Beach Music scene. They also had a surprise number 1 song in the U.K. in 1971 with Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me.

The group continued to tour over the decades, especially in the U.K. and Europe, giving them another minor hit in England with There Ain’t Nothin’ Like Shaggin’) (1987 / #21) even though the BBC banned the song due to sexual connotations.

In 1999, the group guested on Jimmy Buffett’s album Beach House on the Moon and toured with him in support of the LP.

The group is a member of the Georgia Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Hall of Fame and the Beach Music Hall of Fame.

Pope is survived by his wife, Dianne and their children Tameka “Tiny” Harris (of Xscape who is married to rapper T.I.), Albert “Little Redd” Cottle and Michelle Pope.

More from vvnmusic.com

Stay updated with your free Noise11 daily music newsletter. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Related Posts

Sid Bernstein Paul McCartney
Beatles Promoter Sid Bernstein Dies At 95

Music promoter and producer Sid Bernstein, most famous for bringing the Beatles to Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium, has died. He was 95.

August 22, 2013
Apple Boutique London
Beatles Apple Boutique Becomes Boutique Apple Apartments

94 Baker Street in London's Marylebone was once more famously known as the site of the Apple Boutique, an early business venture of The Beatles. 

August 1, 2013
Mendes Alpert Hollywood Bowl
Herb Alpert And Sergio Mendes Play The Hollywood Bowl

The artists that built A&M Records in the mid-60's, Herb Alpert and Sergio Mendes, came to the Hollwood Bowl last Wednesday with special guest, Alpert's wife, Lani Hall.

July 23, 2013
Paul McCartney photo by Karen Freedman, Noise11, Photo
Paul McCartney Adds Japan Dates To His “Out There” Tour

Paul McCartney has just added Japanese dates to his "Out There" tour making an Australian tour now very likely.

July 16, 2013
Beatles Best of Auction
Unreleased 1964 Beatles Acetate To Be Auctioned

The acetate for a rare Beatles album that never saw release will be auctioned off on August 9 by Heritage Auctions.

July 16, 2013
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. photo by Ros O'Gorman, Noise11, Photo
Mike Love Wants Brian Wilson Back In The Beach Boys

After last year's fiftieth anniversary tour, the original members of the Beach Boys once again split apart. Mike Love, who owns the group name, continued touring with Bruce Johnston while Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Markham talked about touring their own version of the band.

July 10, 2013
Bob Dylan image
Infamous Bob Dylan Electric Guitar Goes Up For Auction

The guitar that broke the hearts of many of Bob Dylan's fans and ushered him into the electric phase of his career will be put up for auction.

July 4, 2013