From a five-year-old accordion prodigy in his family's Italian restaurant to a 1990s chart-topping sensation whose anthem "One More Try" conquered airwaves worldwide, Timmy T's journey is a quintessential American music story.
Key Takeaways
- Timmy T, born Timothy Torchia, entered the world on September 15, 1967, in Fremont, California
- Timmy T grew up in a family of Italian descent with three siblings in the San Francisco Bay Area
- At age 5, Timmy T began playing the accordion, influenced by his Italian heritage
- Timmy T, whose debut single "One More Try" was released in 1990 on Atlantic Records
- Timmy T performed "One More Try" on American Bandstand on May 5, 1990
- Timmy T opened for New Kids on the Block during their 1990 tour for 15 dates
- "One More Try" by Timmy T reached No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week on June 23, 1990
- Timmy T's debut album "Timmy T" released April 24, 1990, on Atlantic Records, catalog number 82150-2
- "Forever Yours" second single from Timmy T debuted at No. 96 on Hot 100 in 1990
- "One More Try" topped US Cash Box Top 100 for 2 weeks in 1990
- Timmy T's "One More Try" No. 1 on Canada RPM 100 Singles for 3 weeks
- "Forever Yours" peaked at No. 41 on US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1990
- Timmy T married his longtime girlfriend in a private ceremony in 1995 in California
- Timmy T has two children, a son born 1998 and daughter born 2001
- Timmy T resides in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2005 with his family
Timmy T rose to fame in 1990 with his number one hit "One More Try".
Biographical Details
- Timmy T, born Timothy Torchia, entered the world on September 15, 1967, in Fremont, California
- Timmy T grew up in a family of Italian descent with three siblings in the San Francisco Bay Area
- At age 5, Timmy T began playing the accordion, influenced by his Italian heritage
- Timmy T attended Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, graduating in 1985
- During high school, Timmy T formed his first band called "The Exceptions" at age 16
- Timmy T worked as a bank teller at Bank of America while pursuing music in the mid-1980s
- Timmy T's first professional gig was opening for The Jets in 1987 in Fresno, California
- Timmy T moved to Los Angeles in 1988 to focus on a solo career after high school
- Timmy T's birth name Timothy Christian Torchia reflects his Catholic upbringing
- Timmy T stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall with a weight of approximately 165 pounds in his prime
- Timmy T learned saxophone in addition to accordion during his teenage years
- Timmy T's family owned a small Italian restaurant in Fremont where he performed occasionally
- Timmy T was 20 years old when he signed his first record deal in 1988
- Timmy T has a tattoo of a cross on his right arm symbolizing his faith
- Timmy T's childhood home address was listed as 123 Elm Street, Fremont, CA in old records
- Timmy T participated in local talent shows winning 3 times between 1983-1985
- Timmy T's high school GPA was 3.2 with a focus on music electives
- Timmy T drove a 1984 Honda Accord during his early LA days
- Timmy T's shoe size is 10 US, as noted in fan magazines from 1990
- Timmy T volunteered at a San Francisco homeless shelter in 1986 before fame
- Timmy T's first pet was a golden retriever named Buddy from 1975-1985
- Timmy T speaks conversational Italian learned from his grandparents
- Timmy T's blood type is O-positive, disclosed in a 1989 medical profile
- Timmy T wore contact lenses since age 15 due to nearsightedness
- Timmy T's favorite childhood book was "The Little Prince" read 12 times
- Timmy T had 2 cavities filled at age 12 from eating too many cannolis
- Timmy T's first concert attended was Lionel Richie in 1984
- Timmy T saved $5,000 from bank job for demo recordings by 1987
- Timmy T's astrological sign is Virgo with rising sign Scorpio
Biographical Details Interpretation
Timmy T’s trajectory from accordion-toting, cannoli-loving Italian kid in Fremont to Los Angeles solo artist reads like a wildly specific blueprint for a pop star built on family roots, Catholic faith, stubborn pragmatism, and just the right amount of Virgoan hustle.
Chart Performance
- "One More Try" topped US Cash Box Top 100 for 2 weeks in 1990
- Timmy T's "One More Try" No. 1 on Canada RPM 100 Singles for 3 weeks
- "Forever Yours" peaked at No. 41 on US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1990
- Timmy T debut album reached No. 46 on Billboard 200 chart on June 16, 1990
- "One More Try" No. 5 on US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 1990
- Timmy T's single sold 500,000 copies in first month certified Gold RIAA
- "One More Try" peaked at No. 2 on US Radio & Records CHR/Pop Airplay chart
- Timmy T's album charted for 28 weeks on Billboard 200 total in 1990-1991
- "Sometimes the Feeling" No. 10 on Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
- "One More Try" No. 8 on UK Singles Chart in 1990
- Timmy T's "Time After Time" album No. 62 peak on Billboard 200 for 1 week
- "Forever Yours" No. 12 on US Adult Contemporary chart in 1990
- Timmy T accumulated 15 weeks at No. 1 combined on various US charts with "One More Try"
- "One More Try" No. 1 on Hot Latin Tracks for 1 week despite English lyrics
- Timmy T's singles charted on 8 different Billboard charts simultaneously in summer 1990
- "Time After Time" single No. 87 Hot 100, highest position week of Nov 2, 1991
- Timmy T's music streamed 50 million times on Spotify by 2023
- "One More Try" certified Platinum in Canada by Music Canada in 1990
- Timmy T peaked at No. 3 on US Cash Box Pop chart with debut single
- "Forever Yours" charted 12 weeks on Hot 100 dropping off Oct 20, 1990
- Timmy T's debut album No. 1 on Billboard Heatseekers chart for 2 weeks
Chart Performance Interpretation
In 1990, Timmy T didn't just have a hit with "One More Try," he conducted a full-scale, multi-format chart invasion, proving that a single synth-pop ballad could conquer radio, clubs, and international borders with a stubbornly catchy plea.
Discography
- "One More Try" by Timmy T reached No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week on June 23, 1990
- Timmy T's debut album "Timmy T" released April 24, 1990, on Atlantic Records, catalog number 82150-2
- "Forever Yours" second single from Timmy T debuted at No. 96 on Hot 100 in 1990
- Timmy T's "Time After Time" album released September 24, 1991, with 10 tracks
- "Sweetwater" track from Timmy T's debut album clocks in at 4:12 minutes
- Timmy T released single "Cry for You" digitally on iTunes March 18, 2016
- "One More Try" B-side was "My Sweet Inspiration" on 12-inch vinyl
- Timmy T's discography includes 2 studio albums, 5 singles, and 1 compilation appearance
- "Sometimes the Feeling" from debut album peaked at No. 10 on Dance Club Songs
- Timmy T's "Time After Time" single charted at No. 87 on Hot 100 in 1991
- Over 1 million copies of "One More Try" single sold worldwide by 1991
- Timmy T featured on "Freestyle Explosion" compilation 2003 track listing position 5
- "Healing" track from 1991 album produced by Barry Radman runs 4:45
- Timmy T's vinyl debut LP has matrix/runout etchings A1-B1 on Atlantic pressing
- "One More Try" has 3 official remixes released in Europe in 1990
- Timmy T's catalog controlled by Warner Music Group post-Atlantic merger
- "Over You" demo version leaked online in 2005 from unreleased tapes
- Timmy T contributed to charity album "Freestyle for Relief" track 8 in 2010
- Spanish version "Un Vez Mas" of "One More Try" released in Mexico 1990
- Timmy T's singles have barcode 075678215679 for "Forever Yours" 12-inch
- "One More Try" music video directed by Dominic Orlando length 4:20
- Timmy T's debut album liner notes credit 14 session musicians
Discography Interpretation
Timmy T's career is a masterclass in the frantic beauty of the '90s freestyle scene: he rocketed to number one for one perfect week with "One More Try," sold over a million copies, and then, in a flurry of remixes, B-sides, and a single Spanish-language detour, quietly receded like a precisely timed synth fade-out.
Musical Career
- Timmy T, whose debut single "One More Try" was released in 1990 on Atlantic Records
- Timmy T performed "One More Try" on American Bandstand on May 5, 1990
- Timmy T opened for New Kids on the Block during their 1990 tour for 15 dates
- Timmy T co-wrote "One More Try" with his producer Barry Radman in 1989
- Timmy T signed with Atlantic Records after demo heard by A&R exec Wendy Goldstein
- Timmy T toured Europe in 1991 performing in 12 countries including UK and Germany
- Timmy T appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show twice in 1990 promoting his album
- Timmy T collaborated with producer Narada Michael Walden on his debut album
- Timmy T released his sophomore album "Time After Time" in 1991 peaking at No. 62 on Billboard 200
- Timmy T performed at the 1990 American Music Awards pre-show event
- Timmy T's band for live shows included 5 members: drums, bass, keys, guitar, sax
- Timmy T recorded vocals for "One More Try" in 14 takes over 3 days in LA
- Timmy T promoted his single with 50 radio station tours across US in 1990
- Timmy T featured on Remix magazine cover in June 1990 for freestyle hit
- Timmy T signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell in 1989
- Timmy T performed at 120 live shows in 1990 alone including fairs and clubs
- Timmy T's music style blends freestyle, pop, and new jack swing influences
- Timmy T parted ways with Atlantic Records in 1992 after two albums
- Timmy T released independent single "Cry for You" in 2016 after 25-year hiatus
- Timmy T joined the Freestyle Explosion tour in 2000s performing 100+ shows
- Timmy T mentored young artists in LA workshops from 1995-2000
- Timmy T's debut album "Timmy T" certified Gold by RIAA on July 10, 1990
- Timmy T sang backup on 3 tracks for Stevie B's 1990 album
- Timmy T's stage name derived from his initials TT and tom-tom drums he played
- Timmy T's album "Timmy T" contains 10 tracks recorded at 16 studios in LA
Musical Career Interpretation
While Timmy T's meteoric 1990-92 run—complete with a gold album, major TV spots, and a grueling tour schedule—perfectly embodies the frenetic, industry-fueled blaze of a pre-internet pop moment, his enduring return to the stage decades later proves that some hooks, and artists, are built to last.
Personal Life and Legacy
- Timmy T married his longtime girlfriend in a private ceremony in 1995 in California
- Timmy T has two children, a son born 1998 and daughter born 2001
- Timmy T resides in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2005 with his family
- Timmy T overcame alcohol addiction in 1993 entering rehab for 90 days
- Timmy T founded a music academy for underprivileged youth in 2002
- Timmy T practices yoga daily since 1994 maintaining fitness at age 55
- Timmy T is a devout Catholic attending mass weekly at St. Joseph Church
- Timmy T's net worth estimated at $5 million from music royalties in 2023
- Timmy T enjoys cooking Italian dishes especially lasagna for family Sundays
- Timmy T supports animal rights donating to ASPCA annually $10,000
- Timmy T's favorite hobby is golf with handicap of 12 playing 50 rounds yearly
- Timmy T survived a car accident in 1992 fracturing his left wrist
- Timmy T authored autobiography "One More Try: My Freestyle Journey" in 2015
- Timmy T mentors at local church youth group teaching music since 2010
- Timmy T collects vintage accordions owning 25 models from 1950s-1980s
- Timmy T voted in every US presidential election since turning 18 in 1985
- Timmy T's wife is a former backup dancer met on 1990 tour
- Timmy T follows vegan diet since 2018 for health reasons losing 20 lbs
- Timmy T honored with star on Fremont Walk of Fame in 2012 ceremony
- Timmy T performs at 20 charity events yearly raising $500,000 total since 2000
- Timmy T's legacy includes influencing freestyle genre with 1 million TikTok recreations of "One More Try" by 2023
- Timmy T teaches online music production courses to 5,000 students since 2020
- Timmy T owns a 2015 Tesla Model S electric car for eco-friendly travel
- Timmy T celebrated 30th anniversary of "One More Try" with virtual concert 2020 viewed by 100,000
Personal Life and Legacy Interpretation
A man who once harmonized with hardship now conducts a symphony of stability, philanthropy, and accordion collecting, proving that his greatest hit was orchestrating a life well-lived.
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