Charles Pope was the father of Redd Cottle Pope. His real name was Charles Walter Pope, and he was famous as the founding member of the renowned R&B and soul music group, The Tams. Charles was born on August 7, 1936. To know more about Charles Pope and details related to his life, keep reading.
Redd Cottle Pope Father’s career
Charles Pope was the founding member of the R&B and soul music group called the Tams. This is an American vocal group that was originally from Atlanta, Georgia. The band formed in the 1960s. The name of the band came from the Tam o’Shanter hats that the members wore on the stage.
By 1962, the band had one single hit called ‘Unite Me’ and it became a top 20 on the Billboard R&B Chart. But after this song, other follow-up releases failed to win the hearts of people. But in 1964, the single ‘What Kind of Fool’ reached the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100. Also, the song was in the number-one spot for around three weeks on the Cash Box R&B chart. The group’s various songs were written by the famous Ray Whitley.
Also, the song ‘Hey Girl, Don’t Bother Me’ received a modest hit in 1964. The group experienced another major US hit in 1968 with the song ‘Be Young, Be Foolish, and Be Happy’. The song got to number 26 on the US R&B chart and even made it to the UK Top 40 in 1970.
The song ‘I Have Been Hurt’, which was recorded in 1965, was a big regional hit. This was based on its sales as well as airplay prior to the year 1980.
The Tams reached the number one position in the UK singles chart. This happened in September 1971 when they re-issued the song ‘Hey Girl, Don’t Bother Me’. The initial support was given by the then-leading UK Northern Soul scene. This re-issued song also hit the number-one spot in Ireland. No wonder this song made The Tams the first black soul group to get on the top of the Irish charts.
A brief introduction to the group The Tams
The group enjoyed different chart successes in the 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s. However, now two separate lineups of the Tams are performing and recording. The one lineup is called ‘The Original Tams, with members like R.L. Smith, etc. Whereas, the other lineup of the group is under Charles Pope and his brother Joe Pope.
The downfall of Redd Cottle Pope’s father’s group
The Tams didn’t chart again for some time, which was until 1987. Their song ‘There ain’t Nothing Like Shaggin’ reached the number 21 in the UK. This was boosted by a regionally famous dance called the Carolina Shag, which was also featured in the 1989 film called Shag.
But the song was banned by the BBC. The reason behind the ban on the song was its meaning. The word ‘Shag’ has an inadequate meaning in colloquial British English.
However, the group is still famous in the Southeastern United States. The Tams continue to record music and perform at different concerts. In 1999, the group was featured with Jimmy Buffett on the CD Beach House on the Moon. Plus, they got the opportunity to tour around the country.
The death of Redd Cottle Pope’s father
Charles Pope had a son, Redd Cottle Pope, and a daughter, Tameka Harris. Tameka was born in 1975. She has a career of a singer as well as songwriter. However, Charles died because of Alzheimer’s disease in 2013. Charles Pope was 76 years old when he died.
The other members of the Tams Group
- Joseph Pope – He was born on November 6, 1933, and died in 1996.
- Robert Lee Smith – He was born on March 18, 1950.
- Horace Key – He was born on April 13, 1934, in Atlanta and died in 1995.
- Floyd Ashton – He was born on August 15, 1933, and was part of the group until 1963.
- Little Red, or Albert Cottle – He was born on August 2, 1969, and is the son of Charles Pope.
