New Bedford’s Tavares Celebrate 50 Years of Disco-Era Classic

"The first time they played it for us, I knew it was a hit," New Bedford's Tiny Tavares said about the Tavares smash hit "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel," released 50 years ago.

"Only thing was, I wanted to sing the lead!" he said.

Tiny's brother, Antone "Chubby" Tavares, sang lead on "Heaven" and most of the group's other numbers, launching the Tavares brothers into the stratosphere of the recording industry in the 1970s.

Chubby passed away last year, leaving a large hole in the group and the Tavares family.

READ MORE: New Bedford Mourns Tavares Singer Chubby Tavares

"The irony is now all the leads that I wanted to sing when we first recorded the songs, I have to sing the leads to them now," Tiny said. "Ironic, but sad."

There were also many songs that Tiny wished Tavares had gotten to record.

READ MORE: The Songs Tiny Tavares Wishes He Had Recorded

"Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" was released as a single by Capitol Records in May of 1976, the same month I graduated from New Bedford High School. The song was included on Tavares' fourth album Sky High, and later re-released in February of 1986.

Tavares Takes "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" Worldwide

The song had great success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart, No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles Chart, No. 10 on Cash Box Top 100, No. 15 on Billboard's Hot 100, and No. 18 on Billboard's U.S. Adult Contemporary Chart.

"Heaven" climbed the charts all around the world. Tavares performed it on television all over Europe, as well as the best television venues here at home, including Dick Clark's American Bandstand, Soul Train with Don Cornelius, Midnight Special, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show, and The John Davidson Show.

"Dick Clark liked the family so much he'd bring us on even when we weren't promoting a song," Tiny said.

New Bedford's Honor for the Tavares Brothers

A street in New Bedford's Bay Village has been named in honor of the beloved Tavares Brothers, whose story began on the streets of New Bedford and Providence.

READ MORE: New Bedford Street Renamed Tavares Brothers Way

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Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years

Reflecting on the 50 years since "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" was released, and he and his brothers were on top of the world, Tiny said, "I look forward to the next 50."

"My sons and nephew are creating some amazing songs that I feel will be just as strong as 'Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel' and 'More Than a Woman,' and will outdo them both," Tiny said. "We're in recording as we speak."