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Timex Social Club

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Timex Social Club
Also known as
  • TSC
  • The Social Club
  • The Timex Crew
OriginBerkeley, California
GenresContemporary R&B, go-go, funk, urban contemporary, soul
Years active1985–1987, 2011–present
LabelsJay Records/ Danya/ Fantasy Records
SpinoffsClub Nouveau
Members
Past members

Timex Social Club is an American R&B group, formed in 1985 and best known for the 1986 hit single "Rumors".[1]

History

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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[1] (despite the group's name, Timex Group USA bears no sponsorship of the group). They fused funk and urban R&B.

In 1986, the group released the Vicious Rumors album produced by Jay Logan on Danya/Fantasy Records (A&M in Canada; Mercury in Europe; CBS/Sony in Japan). Its one major hit, "Rumors", written by Thompson, Hill, and Marshall, peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 13 in the UK,[2] and number 1 on the Billboard R&B, 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.[3] Also in 1986 Ocea Savage was added on keyboards and background vocals.

Tour

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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.[4] 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.[5]

Split

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Timex Social Club disbanded shortly after the success of "Rumors". The band's producer Jay King, Denzil Foster, and Thomas McElroy 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 go-go cover of Bill Withers's "Lean on Me".[6]

Revival

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As of 2011, the current Timex Social Club roster consisted of founding member Marcus Thompson as DJ and Samuelle Prater on vocals.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album US R&B
[7]
1986 Vicious Rumors 29

Singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions
US 100
[3] 		US R&B
[3] 		US Dance
[3] 		CAN
 UK
[8]
1986 "Rumors" 8 1 1 1 13
"Mixed Up World" — 15 — — 81
"Thinkin' About Ya" — 15 ― — ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

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Year Source[5] Song Result Misc.
1986
CRIA/Music Canada
"Rumors"
Gold single
Certification/Label A&M
1986
CRIA/Music Canada
"Rumors"
Platinum single
Certification/Label A&M
1986
Commendation
"Rumors" / Vicious Rumors Awarded (key to city)
Mayor Richard L. Berkley Kansas City MO.
1986
Proclamation
 "Rumors" / Vicious Rumors
Won
Governor John D. Ashcroft state of MO.
1986
The 1986 NARM Awards
"Rumors"
Won
Best Selling New Artist
1986
Bay Area Top Star Music Awards
 "Rumors" / Vicious Rumors
Won
—
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
—

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Wynn, Ron. "Timex Social Club - Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 560. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ a b c d "Timex Social Club Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Michaels, Randolph (2005). Flashbacks to Happiness: Eighties Music Revisited. US. pp. 196, 198. ISBN 978-0-595-37007-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ a b Thompson, Marcus (2011). How Do Rumors Get Started: The True Story of Timex Social Club. US. pp. 6, 173. ISBN 978-1-257-28542-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ Wynn, Ron. "Club Nouveau - Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  7. ^ "Timex Social Club - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  8. ^ "TIMEX SOCIAL CLUB - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 3, 2021.

Further reading

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  • Thompson, Marcus A. (2011). How Do Rumors Get Started: The True Story of Timex Social Club. US. ISBN 978-1329954939.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Turner, Patricia A. (1993). I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Rumor in African-American Culture. US. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-520-08936-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Stone, Joseph (2005). Mad Season: (Changing Stations). US. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-595-37007-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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