Timex Social Club


Timex Social Club is an American 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, 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. Later in 1986, Ocea Savage was added on keyboards and background vocals. They specialized in both old school hip hop and the merger of urban R&B with hip hop rhythms, which was later known as new jack swing.
In 1986, the group 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, and No. 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.

Tours

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".

Revival

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

Discography

Albums

Awards and nominations

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YearSourceSongResultMisc.
1986
CRIA/Music Canada
"Rumors"
Gold single
Certification/Lable A&M
1986
CRIA/Music Canada
"Rumors"
Platinum single
Certification/Lable A&M
1986
Commendation
"Rumors"/Vicious RumorsAwarded
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
"Rumors"/Vicious Rumors
Nominated
-
1987
Soul Train Music Awards
"Rumors"/Vicious Rumors
Nominated
-

Books