Timbiriche (briefly known as La Banda Timbiriche) was a Mexican Latin pop group formed in 1981 as a children's music project, created in response to the Spanish group Parchís. Over time, the band transitioned into teen pop and later to a more mature pop sound. It is regarded as one of the most influential Latin pop groups of the 1980s and early 1990s.
The original lineup consisted of Benny Ibarra, Sasha Sokol, Diego Schoening, Alix Bauer, Paulina Rubio, and Mariana Garza. Other members joined the group during its lifetime, including Erik Rubín, Thalía, Eduardo Capetillo, Edith Márquez, and Bibi Gaytán, many of whom later established successful careers in music and entertainment in Mexico and Latin America. Their discography includes twelve studio albums released between 1981 and 1993, along with two compilation albums and three live recordings. The group reunited on three occasions: in 1998, in 2007 for its 25th anniversary, and in 2017 to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
History Name Timbiriche (known in the United States as dots and boxes), is a paper-and-pencil game of mathematical structure. The objective of the game is to complete squares using points, and thus claim as many of these as possible on paper. The idea of naming the musical group comes in response to the Spanish children's musical group Parchís, whose name is also inspired by a table game.
Origin The idea of forming the musical group goes back to the founding of the children's area of the Centro de Educación Artística (CEA) of the Mexican television network Televisa. The responsibility of recruiting a group of children for the ranks of the school was in charge of the Mexican actress and producer Martha Zavaleta. The children chosen to join the institution were Mariana Garza, Alix Bauer, Paulina Rubio and Diego Schoening. They were eventually joined by Benny Ibarra and Sasha Sokol. The group of children were trained in singing, dancing and acting in the institution. Eventually they staged a play. It was thanks to this work that the executives of Televisa had the idea of forming a children's musical group with the six children. At that time, the Spanish musical group Parchís caused a sensation in Mexico and several countries of Spanish Speaking. Televisa formed Timbiriche as a Mexican response to Parchís. The creative team in charge of launching this group was formed by Victor Hugo O'Farril, former partner, producer and creative director of the television station, and by producer Luis de Llano Macedo. María Eugenia La Gorda Galindo, was selected as manager of the group.
Children's Band (1982-1984) After a few months of preparation, Timbiriche made its official debut on 30 April 1982 on the Mexican television show Siempre en Domingo, featuring Spanish singer Miguel Bosé as its godfather. The group launches their first record production titled Timbiriche, which included the hit singles Amor para tí, Hoy tengo que decirte Papá, Y la fiesta comenzó and Somos amigos.
Due to the success obtained, and in order to have a wider repertoire in their presentations, the group recorded a second album titled La Banda Timbiriche, which included the hit singles La Banda Timbiriche, La vida es mejor cantando, México and Mamá . The group is also chosen to interpret the musical theme of the children's telenovela Chispita. In that same year, the group participates in a special of television where it shares scene with the group Parchís.
In 1983, the group released the album La Banda Timbiriche: En Concierto an album that was released under the concept of being a live album, although in fact the sound effects of the public were added in the recording studio. The album includes covers of songs in English and of musicals famous at that time like Time Warp of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, One Step (cover of Liza Minnelli and Goldie Hawn' song), Summer Nights (from the musical Grease) and Mickey (cover by Toni Basil). In this third album, the group already enjoyed a great acceptance in Mexico, receiving several disks of gold by the high sales of its albums.
At that moment of the group, the voices of the only two male members of the group were confused with those of the female members due to their young age. Because of this, the producers considered the idea of integrating a third male member into the group. The chosen one was Erik Rubín, who joins the band in December 1983. The band launches its fourth disc, titled Timbiriche Disco Ruido. The album was the first big challenge of the band, because it was not known what the public reaction would be to the new member, who had to go through many conflicts to adapt with his peers. However, the album had a good reception and contained hits such as Disco ruido and Adiós a la escuela.
Teen Band (1985-1987) In 1984, Timbiriche, along with several other children actors and singers, starred in a version of the play Grease (called Vaselina in Mexico). The play was produced by the actress and producer Julissa. From this staging comes the album Timbiriche Vaselina, which was another success of the grouping. The album released the hit singles Amor primero (Those Magic Changes), Rayo Rebelde (Grease Lightnin'), Freddy mi amor (Freddy My love) and Iremos juntos (We Go Together).
For 1985, the group begins an evolution. They were no longer a children's group, and this situation leads to a new, fresher sound aimed at teenagers. This change is evident in the record Timbiriche Rock Show, released in 1985.
But in the middle of the success, Benny decides to leave the group in September of that same year, after the recording of the album and after to have participated only in the promotion of the first two singles. His reason was that he wanted to prepare in music by enrolling in a school in the United States. The singer chosen to replace him was Eduardo Capetillo, who already had become known for his stellar participation in the play Grease. Eduardo was the one who performed the rest of the album's promotion. From this production stand out songs like Teléfono (cover of Sheena Easton's song Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)), Juntos, Soy un desastre, Corro, vuelo, me acelero, Me planto y Mi globo azul (cover of Nena' s song 99 Luftballons).
In August 1986 Sasha, another founding member, announced her departure from the group in order to become independent and launch herself as a solo singer. A month later, her place is occupied by Thalía, who had been announced a few years ago in a children's musical group called Din-Din, and also served as a substitute for Sasha in the Grease play.Helloforos.com: Thalía, Din-Din and Moderna niña del rock
In 1987, Timbiriche released the album Timbiriche VII. With this album, the group obtains a success superior to that of the previous disc, consolidating like one of the youthful groups leaders of Latin America and Spain. The album included hits like No seas tan cruel, Besos de ceniza, Mírame (Cuestión de tiempo), Si no es ahora, Con todos menos conmigo, Rompecabezas, Mágico amor and Ya estaba escrito.
In that same year, Timbiriche interprets the main theme of the telenovela Quinceañera, that was carried out by Thalía and the actress Adela Noriega.
In December of that same year, the group is invited to participate in the Christmas album Esta navidad, next to another artists. Timbiriche interprets the song ¡Ay del Chiquirritín!. In that same month, Mariana Garza, another of the founding members of the group, announces her departure from the group to enter as a television actress. It is Mariana herself who chooses for her replacement Edith Márquez, another young girl who was also part of Greases cast. In addition, Edith already was well-known for her participation in the TV sitcom Papá soltero. Edith lived a difficult process of adaptation when arriving at the group.
Adult Band (1988-1991) The double album Timbiriche VIII & IX was released on 7 May 1988. The record was produced as a double album, as producers did not decide to choose the repertoire of songs that would include in the new album. At the time, the double discs were a novelty in Latin America and few artists were encouraged to produce them. The album (which was also released for sale separately) included the hit singles Tú y yo somos uno mismo, Ámame hasta con los dientes, Acelerar, Yo no se si es amor, Me estoy volviendo loca, Junto a tí, Máscaras, Pasos and Tú me vuelves loco. This period is considered as the zenith in the trajectory of the group and gives another step in its evolution, positioning itself as a young adult band.
In November 1988, Alix, another of the founders, decides to leave the group to prepare her solo career. After a series of auditions, in February 1989 her place is occupied by Bibi Gaytán, who ends next to the rest of the members the tour corresponding to the double album.
In February 1989 goes out for sale the first compilation album of the group titled Los Clásicos de Timbiriche. The album contains a compilation of the group's greatest hits, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of Mexico City, and was recorded in the Sala Netzahualcoyotl of Mexico City. The disc included an unpublished song, titled Por tí, and counted with the participation of Benny, Sasha and Mariana, the former members of the group. The production was recorded at the end of 1988, when Alix was still part of the group, but was released on sale until February 1989. That's why Bibi was not included in the album.
In July 1989, Eduardo Capetillo and Thalía also opt to leave the group to prepare their solo careers. After new auditions, their places are occupied by Claudio Bermúdez and Patty Tanús respectively.
The album Timbiriche X is considered by many as the last album that retains the original style of the band that, at the moment, already had only three of the original members: Paulina, Diego and Erik, besides Edith and Bibi, who were joined by Claudio and Patty. However, after only a few months, Patty is expelled from the group for having lied to producers regarding her age and marital status, being replaced by Silvia Campos, who although she did not record the album, if she toured and promoted it . The disc contained a strong influence of the dance music, that at that moment enjoyed enormous popularity in the dance floors of the world. The album included the successful singles Princesa Tibetana, Me pongo mal, Historia de amor, Yo no soy una más, Sacudete and Como te diré. With this record, Timbiriche receives his first Eres Award as Best Pop Group. In 1991, the group celebrates its 10th anniversary.
But at the end of the tour, Paulina, another of the founding members, leaves the group to open a career as a soloist. Just two weeks later, Erik, Edith and Bibi also announce their departure from the group to pursue a career as soloists. This situation leaves Diego as the only original member of the band, in addition to Claudio and Silvia.
The Second Generation (1991-1994)
Without the majority of its original members, the group was in decline, but the producers decided to continue with the concept and bet on launching a new generation. Surprisingly, in the midst of production, Claudio is fired from the group.
By the end of 1991, the band returns with five new members: Lorena Shelley, Daniel Gaytan, Tannya Velasco, Kenya Hijuelos and Alexa Lozano. Together with Diego and Silvia they record the album Timbiriche XI. In 1992, Kenya leaves the group before the official presentation of the disc by decision of the creators of the group by conflicts between the new members, being replaced by Jean Duverger. This second generation is officially presented during a broadcast of Siempre en domingo, in which all former members were invited to introduce the new members. This meeting was unique, since it had almost all the members of the group, being the only ones missing Diego, due to health problems and Thalía, who was working in Spain.