Timex Social Club

Timex Social Club
Also known as TSC, The Social Club, The Timex Crew
Origin Berkeley, California
Genres R&B, new jack swing, dance, post-disco, soul
Years active 1982–1987
Labels Jay Records/Danya/Fantasy Records
Associated acts Club Nouveau
Past members Marcus Thompson
Gregory "Greg B" Thomas
Michael Marshall
Craig Samuel
Darrien Cleage
Alex Hill
Kevin Moore

The Timex Social Club was an American contemporary R&B group, formed in 1982 and best known for the 1986 hit single, "Rumors".

History

Originally known as the Timex Crew, members included Marcus Thompson (founder), Gregory "Greg B" Thomas, Michael Marshall, Craig Samuel, and Darrien Cleage. By 1986, Samuel, Cleage, and Thomas had departed, Alex Hill and Kevin Moore were added, and the name Timex Social Club was adopted. They specialized in both old school hip hop and the merger of urban R&B with hip hop rhythms, which were later known as new jack swing.

In 1986, they released the Vicious Rumors album on Danya/Fantasy Records. Its one major hit, "Rumors", peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100; it reached #1, #13 in the UK,[1] and #1 on US Billboard R&B, Hot Black Singles-Sales, Hot Black Singles-Airplay, US Hot Dance Club Play, and Hot Dance/Disco-12 inch Singles-Sales charts.

The two follow-up singles, "Thinkin' About Ya" and "Mixed-Up World", reached the R&B Top 20.

Rumors

The success of the single "Rumors", prompted hip hop impresario Russell Simmons to hire the group as the opening act for 38 dates on Run DMC's Raising Hell tour in 1986. Other acts on the tour were Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Whodini. Besides solo dates, the group also opened for New Edition, Midnight Star, the S.O.S. Band, Kool & The Gang, and Jermaine Jackson.

Split

Timex Social Club disbanded shortly after the success of "Rumors". The band's producer and sideman Jay King formed Club Nouveau, whose first single was "Jealousy", an answer song to "Rumors" that references Timex Social Club's split. Club Nouveau subsequently had a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1987 with a cover of Bill Withers' "Lean on Me".

Touring

As of 2011, the current Timex Social Club roster consisted of founding member Marcus Thompson (DJ) and Samuelle Prater (vocals). Timex Social Club still tours. They can also be booked for Old School 80's concerts, private parties and appearances through GigMasters.com (http://www.gigmasters.com/rb-band/Timex-Social-Club/). Their records still surface on Pop and R&B radio, especially during old-school mix shows. The group's records have now become sample sources for contemporary artists such as: Tyga, 2 Pac, Public Enemy (group), Master P and others.

In pop culture - cover versions, parodies and usage

Over the years, the group's hit "Rumors" has spawned a host of remakes, parodies and uses, such as:

The Club Nouveau song Why You Treat Me So Bad uses the same keyboard melody riff from "Thinkin' About Ya" (Life, Love and Pain, Warner Bros. Records 25531). The following is a selected list of other covers/samples.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Song Chart Peak Chart
Rumors
8, 1, 1, 13, 1
US, R&B, Dance, UK, CAN
Mixed Up World
15
R&B
Thinkin' About Ya
15
R&B[2]

Awards and Nominations

Year Source Song Result Misc.
1986
Commendation
Rumors/Vicious Rumors Awarded (key to city)
Mayor Richard L. Berkley Kansas City MO.
1986
Proclamation
Rumors/Vicious Rumors
Awarded
Governor John D. Ashcroft state of MO.
1986
Bay Area Top Star Music Awards
Rumors/Vicious Rumors
Awarded
-
1987
American Music Awards
Rumors/Vicious Rumors
Nominated
-
1987
Bammies/Bay Area Music Awards
Rumors/Vicious Rumors
Nominated
-
1987
Juno Awards (CANADA)
Rumors/Vicious Rumors
Nominated
-
1987
Soul Train Music Awards
Rumors/Vicious Rumors
Nominated
-

Books

Film

Television

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 560. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ↑ Timex Social Club- R&B chart placements @Billboard.com Retrieved 6-12-2011.
  3. ↑ Turner, Patricia (1994). I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Rumor in African-American Culture. US. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-520-08936-5.
  4. ↑ Stone, Joseph (2005). Mad Season: (Changing Stations). US. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-595-37007-8.
  5. ↑ Michaels, Randolph (2005). Flashbacks to Happiness: Eighties Music Revisited. US. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-595-37007-8.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Marcus (2011). How Do Rumors Get Started: The True Story Of Timex Social Club. US. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-257-28542-6.
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