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. 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. Despite retaining the name and concept in general, there was a new musical style that mixed dance and tropical rhythms. Although the album was not so popular with fans of the first generation, it began to appeal to younger generations, thanks to hits like
Vanidosa,
Sólo te quiero a tí,
Tierra dorada, and
Piel a piel, receiving disc of Gold and platinum by high sales. Thanks to this the group could survive another year. For 1993 they record
Timbiriche XII, disc of which it was detached like the last success of the group:
Muriendo Lento (cover of
Slowly original song of the ex-singer of the Swedish group
ABBA,
Anni-Frid Lyngstad). But at the beginning of 1994 Alexa decided to leave the group, announcing it in a concert in Monterrey to the fans without having said before to the managers and companions. This was one of the reasons that led to the final disintegration.
First Reunion (1998-1999) In 1998, in the frame of the ''Festival Acapulco '98
, the original six members reunited in the scene in a historical night that broke record of hearing. After the success obtained, it reissues the disc Los Clásicos de Timbiriche
, now with the name of Timbiriche Symphonic'' that generated great stir among the followers. Plans for a formal reunion crystallized in late November 1998, when the group performed a concert at the
Auditorio Nacional of Mexico City. This concert also included Erik Rubín. For 1999, the group initiated a tour that was developed by all Mexico and part of Latin America. The reunion established in the Auditorio Nacional a record of hearing with more than 20 consecutive concerts. The tour would conclude with a massive concert at
Foro Sol, also in Mexico City. From that tour a double album titled
Timbiriche, El concierto, was recorded that was recorded live in the Auditorio Nacional on 20 December 1998. This album also included three new songs:
Esta Despierto,
Suma Cósmica and
La Fuerza del Amor.
25th Anniversary Reunion (2007-2008) The original members of the group (including Erik, and with the exception of Paulina Rubio, who can not participate for personal commitments), reunited in 2007 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band (30 April 2007). The celebration took place through a tour of concerts and three albums: one before the concerts, titled
Timbiriche 25, with new versions of 12 classic songs of the group, a live album with some songs of the concert titled
Somos Timbiriche 25 and finally the live album
Timbiriche Vivo en Vivo (cd double + DVD) with the full version of the concert. The album also includes three unpublished songs:
Vuelvo a Comenzar,
Atado a tí and
Domar el Aire. These themes are a gift and thanks to the fans who helped make Timbiriche's 25th anniversary a great success. Timbiriche broke its record in the Auditorio Nacional with more than 20 consecutive performances with full masses and more than 30 concerts throughout Mexico. On Monday, 5 May 2008 Timbiriche closed the celebration of its 25 years at Foro Sol. On 17 May 2008, the group participated at the Mexico City
ALAS concert, benefitting poor children in Latin America. The group performed alongside singers like Miguel Bosé,
Ricky Martin,
Maná, and
Chayanne, among others. In addition, film director
Carlos Marcovich who accompanied the group for much of the tour, announced the production of a documentary feature on Timbiriche, which was called
La misma Piedra and premiered on Friday, 21 November 2008 in all Mexico cinemas.
The Reality Show To celebrate the group's 25th anniversary, Televisa launched a great call for the formation of a new Band Timbiriche, this time formed by seven young people between 15–22 years old. The process was carried out through a
reality show called
Buscando a Timbiriche, La Nueva Banda. It was attended by 30 young people, and was endorsed by some of the original creators of the concept and other personalities of the show (Luis de Llano, Memo Méndez Guiú, Marco Flavio Cruz, Marta Zavaleta, Amparo Rubin and Kiko Campos). The six members of the project Timbiriche 25 (Diego, Erick, Sasha, Alix, Mariana and Benny) who participated as a jury evaluating the performance of the candidates. The band would be called The New Timbiriche Band. Brissia, Fernanda, Gabriela, Taide, Alberto, Eduardo and Yurem, were chosen to form this new group. But the concept did not have the expected success. Only the single
Tú, tú, tú achieve some acceptance of the public. The group disbanded in April 2009.
The Musical In October 2007, producer
Pedro Damián announced that he was planning to make a feature film based on Timbiriche's songs. The script was written by
Martha Carrillo and
Cristina García (who wrote the script for the telenovela
Tres Mujeres) which tells the story of adolescent love through the music of Sasha, Benny, Diego, Mariana, Álix, Érick, and Paulina. About the project, Damián said, "It's like the play
Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar (with music from
Mecano) or like the
Abba play
Mamma Mia! — plays that used the music from the groups with different stories." Carrillo told a Mexican newspaper that the plot deals with "the life of some kids who are trying to move forward with music, but not as a band; the main character is a composer, but she's not the one who sings." The idea for a movie has been put on hiatus and the project has been initiated as a theatrical touring musical. The musical began auditions in January 2010 and is called Timbiriche: El Musical (Timbiriche: The Musical). The musical play is a love story that uses Timbiriche's songs as expressions but does not tell the story of the Timbiriche band.
35th Anniversary Reunion (2017) On 30 April 2017, Timbiriche celebrated its 35th anniversary. After several rumors and requests from fans through social networks, on 29 May 2017, Erik Rubin held a press conference where he announced the group's third reunion to commemorate its anniversary. As revealed by Rubin, this reunion started in September 2017 with an initial tour of 30 shows. The reunion tour featured the six original members of the band: Benny Ibarra, Sasha Sokol, Erik Rubin, Alix Bauer, Mariana Garza and Diego Schoening. ==Members==