After Dinner Speakers: The Tymes, Mike Mitchell, Gary Sinise

Formed in Philadelphia during the 50s, George Williams, George Hilliard, Donald Banks, Albert Berry and Norman Burnett first came together in the Latineers. As the Tymes they secured a major hit with the evocative 'So Much In Love' (1962), a gorgeously simple performance which recalled the bygone doo-wop era while anticipating the sweet harmonies of 70s' Philly soul. Further less successful singles then followed as the group entered a somewhat lean patch before a version of 'People' restored them to the charts. The Tymes scored international hits with two 1974 releases, 'You Little Trustmaker' and 'Ms. Grace', (a UK number 1), which pitched the group's harmonies into a modern context. Although the original line-up stayed intact for several years, Hilliard, then Berry, eventually left the group, while two later additions, Terri Gonzalez and Melanie Moore, suggested yet a further shake-up of their image. Such changes, however, failed to sustain the Tymes' chart career beyond 1976.