Timex Social Club is an American R&B group, formed in 1983 and best known for the 1986 hit single \"Rumors\".

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Timex Social Club is an American R&B group, formed in 1983 and best known for the 1986 hit single \"Rumors\".\n

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History

Originally known as the Timex Crew, members included Marcus Thompson (founding member), 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 fused funk, rap, and urban R&B.\n

The group's major hit, \"Rumors\", reached number one on Billboard's Hot Black Singles, Hot Dance/Disco Club Play, and Hot Dance/Disco 12 Inch Singles Sales charts and peaked at number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart and number 13 in the UK,\n

Recording

Thompson, Hill and Marshall wrote the song \"Rumors\" in 1983. The lyrics Thompson wrote were inspired by student life at Berkeley High School. In late 1985, aspiring Sacramento-area producer and promoter Jay King heard the demo and arranged for Timex Social Club to record it at Starlight studios in Richmond, CA. \"Rumors\" was released as a seven and a twelve-inch single on King's fledgling Jay Records and distributed by Macola Records.\n

By May of 1986, while \"Rumors\" was rising on the charts, the unsigned group recorded an album with Danya Records. The album Vicious Rumors was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA and distributed by Fantasy Records in the US (A&M in Canada; Mercury in Europe; CBS/Sony in Japan) and produced by Jay Logan. \"Rumors\" was re-recorded for the album and a music video was made to this new version. Two follow-up singles, \"Thinkin' About Ya\" and \"Mixed-Up World\", both reached number 15 on the Black Singles chart. As \"Rumors\" became popular outside of the US in the fall of 1986, it was this re-recorded version that charted in Canada and Europe.\n

The album debuted on Billboard's Black Albums chart on 6 December 1986 and peaked at number 29 (on 21 March 1987), but failed to chart on the Billboard 200 albums chart.\n

Touring

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, Jermaine Jackson , and Morris Day.\n

Split

Timex Social Club disbanded in 1987, shortly after the success of \"Rumors\".\n

Revival

As of 2025, the Timex Social Club roster consists of founding member Marcus Thompson as DJ, Samuelle and Val Watson on vocals.\n

Book

In 2011, Thompson authored \"How Do Rumors Get Started: The True Story of Timex Social Club\", his history of the group and his take on the rap music scene in the mid 1980s.\n

Discography

Studio albums

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Singles

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Awards and nominations

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References

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External links

Timex Social Club at AllMusic
Official Website
Timex Social Club discography at Discogs

Timex Social Club 1st Radio Interview Pt.1. Interviewed by Douglas, Natty Prep – via YouTube.com.

Timex Social Club 1st Radio Interview Pt.2. Interviewed by Douglas, Natty Prep – via YouTube.com.

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History

Recording

Touring

Split

Revival

Book

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

See also

References

Further reading

External links

Timex Social Club

Broadcast History