Awards

The Tams have had four #1 songs at the national, and international levels, as well as one major regional hit:

1963 –  (US) The Tams first National hit record, “What Kind of Fool”  – released in 1963 – #1 R& B / #6 Top 40. “What Kind of Fool”  was the beginning of The Tams popularity in the US.
1968 – “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” – #26 Top 40 – “Be Young Be Foolish” was The Tams Greatest selling single, selling over 1,000,000 copies in the US. Their only RIAA Certified Gold Record single.
1971 – “Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me” – Three weeks at #1 in England One of three UK chart hits for The Tams, this ABC/Dunhill records release also has the distinction of being the the #1 song of year in the UK.

“I’ve Been Hurt” – Although never on the charts, “I’ve Been Hurt” was most likely the biggest regional hit ever (based on sales and airplay) prior to 1980. Many radio stations and DJs consider “I’ve Been Hurt” to certainly be the biggest selling and most played Tams song EVER, even though it was primarily popular in the southeast (and not recognized as a national hit by Billboard).

Their total honors include:

Platinum Record: 

  •      Be Young, Be Foolish but Be Happy

Gold Records:

  •       (US) Be Young, Be Foolish but Be Happy

Recordings:

  • 13 Albums

Media:

  • Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me – #1 song of year in the UK
  • Featured in “Top of The Pops”
  • Featured in “Gold Mine” magazine

Awards and Certificates:

  • 1982 – Beach Music Award – Group of the Decade
  • 1986 (1988)  ” Beach Band of the Decade ” by Beach Music Awards
  • 1988 ” Outstanding Black Musical Group” by the Atlanta Black History Awards
  • 1992 Inducted into the Atlanta Hall of Fame
  • 1994 Inducted in Beach Music Hall of Fame
  • 1996 Inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame
  • 2001 – South Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame – Certificate of Recognition (Sept 6, 2001)
  • 1991 ASE Pioneer Award (Oct 6th, 1991)
  • 2001 – King of the Beach Award (Oct 26,  2001)
  • 2005 – The Arthur Crier Award

Special Events:

  • 1975 – City of Atlanta – Tams Day – Maynard Jackson (Mayor) – (Apr 28, 1975)
  • 1983 – Honorary Asst Atty Gen State of Alabama – charles A Graddick – Atty Gen  – Certificate of recognition (Feb, 18, 1983)
  • 1988-89 – So. Bell Salutes Universal Brotherhood Calendar of Black History (Sept 14. 1988-89)
  • 2004 – State of Ga – Cathy Cox – Secretary of State  – Certificate of recognition (Dec 18th, 2004)

Have your say