Tim Smith (Cardiacs) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tim Smith
Smith performing with Cardiacs in 2007
Born	Timothy Charles Smith (1961-07-03)3 July 1961 Carshalton, Surrey, England
Died	21 July 2020(2020-07-21) (aged 59)
Other names	Philip Pilf
Occupation	Singer songwriter musician producer director
Years active	1975–2008
Spouse(s)	Sarah Cutts ​ ​ (m. 1983; div. 1990)​
Partner(s)	Joanne Spratley Sarah Maher
Relatives	Jim Smith (brother)
Musical career
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards
Labels	Alphabet Business Concern
Signature

Timothy Charles Smith (born 3 July 1961 – died 21 July 2020) was a super talented English musician. He was a singer, songwriter, played many instruments, and even produced music and directed music videos! Tim was best known as the leader of the rock band Cardiacs. He started this band with his brother, Jim.

Besides his work with Cardiacs, Tim also helped create music for other bands. He produced the first album for The Sea Nymphs. He also made his own solo album called Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld. With another group called Spratleys Japs, he released the album Pony.

In 2008, Tim faced a big health challenge. He had a heart attack and strokes, which led to a rare condition called dystonia. This meant Cardiacs had to stop playing for a while. With help from a special fundraising campaign, he slowly got better. In 2016, he released a new album with The Sea Nymphs called On the Dry Land. Two years before he passed away in 2020, Tim was given an honorary Doctor of Music degree. This was a huge honor for his amazing contributions to music.

Tim's Early Life and Music Journey

A childhood photo of Tim Smith

Tim Smith was born in Carshalton, England, on 3 July 1961. He and his older brother Jim became interested in music around 1972. Their friend Geoff Shelton bought an electric guitar, which sparked their interest. Jim bought a bass guitar, and Tim played a snare drum with them.

The next year, Tim learned to play the guitar from a record. He learned a song called "Frankie and Johnny" and played it while his mom sang along. Around the same time, he heard a part of a song that gave him "goosebumps." This moment changed how he thought about music. It might have even inspired the unique sound of his own songs later on!

Some songs Tim wrote when he was about 13 years old later became famous Cardiacs songs. These include "Interlude" from their first album and "Billion" from Sing to God.

Tim went to Fleetwood Secondary School where he met friends who would later play in Cardiacs. In 1975, Tim and his friend Mark Cawthra formed a band that played instrumental music. They never performed live, but they used a special keyboard that Cardiacs later inherited.

From The Filth to Cardiacs: 1977–2008

Starting Bands and Changing Names

When Tim was 16, he started a rock group called The Filth in 1977. The band played their first show at a place called the Kaleidoscope hotel. Tim played guitar, his brother Jim played bass, Peter Tagg played drums, and Michael Pugh was the singer.

In 1980, Tim helped record the first and only album for a band called Cardiac Arrest. It was called The Obvious Identity. They made 1000 cassette tapes and sold them at concerts to save money.

In 1981, Tim decided to change the band's name to Cardiacs. He helped record their first album, Toy World, also on cassette tape. After some changes to the band members, Tim brought in Tim Quy, Sarah Cutts, and Dominic Luckman.

Studio Albums and Other Music Projects

In 1984, Tim's own music label, Alphabet Business Concern, was created. That same year, Tim's band Cardiacs was asked to open for a famous band called Marillion. Tim agreed, but the audience was not very friendly to Cardiacs. They even had to leave the tour early!

From 1984 to 1999, Cardiacs released six studio albums. They also put out many singles, EPs (smaller albums), and live albums.

During the 1990s, Tim took a break from Cardiacs to work on other music. He wrote songs for his solo album, Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld, which came out in 1995. Tim also reunited with his ex-wife Sarah Smith and William D. Drake to form The Sea Nymphs. This band had a "gentler" sound than Cardiacs. They had recorded together before in 1984. Tim also performed with Jo Spratley in a band called Spratleys Japs. They released their album Pony in 1999.

In 2006, Tim toured by himself, playing acoustic versions of Cardiacs' songs. In 2007, Cardiacs released their only single of the 2000s, "Ditzy Scene".

Tim's Health Challenges: 2008–2020

On 25 June 2008, Tim had a heart attack. This caused some brain damage and led to him developing a rare condition called dystonia. This condition affects how muscles move.

To help Tim with his recovery, special events called The Alphabet Business Convention were held in 2013, 2015, and 2017. These events featured live music from bands connected to Cardiacs, and all the money raised went to help Tim.

In July 2016, a special concert called The Whole World Window took place. All the money from this concert also went to help Tim get better. In January 2018, a fundraising campaign was started online to raise money for Tim's ongoing care. The goal was quickly reached, and even more money was raised to help him for a year.

On 25 October 2018, Tim received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His brother Jim accepted the award for him.

Tim's Passing: 21 July 2020

Tim Smith passed away on the evening of 21 July 2020, at 59 years old. He had another heart attack. His brother Jim and bandmate Kavus Torabi shared the sad news. Many other musicians, like Steven Wilson and Dave Rowntree from Blur, shared their tributes to Tim.

Tim's Work as a Producer and Video Director

Tim Smith had his own recording studio called Apollo 8. He produced many recordings for different musicians and bands. Many of these were part of the "Cardiacs family" of artists.

Tim also created and edited music videos for various bands, including Sepultura and The Frank and Walters, as well as for Cardiacs. In 2008, Tim made a film called The Wildhearts Live in the Studio: A Film By Tim Smith. It showed the band The Wildhearts playing their album with some surreal and interesting parts.

Tim's Music Albums

Solo Albums

• Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld (Alphabet Business Concern, 1995)

With Joanne Spratley

• Pony (All My Eye and Betty Martin Music, 1999)

Tim's Film and Video Work