CLUB NOUVEAU
Genre: R&B, Pop, New Wave
Years Active: 1986–present
Club Nouveau emerged in the mid-1980s, bringing a fresh sound to R&B with their soulful melodies and innovative production. Their biggest success came with their Grammy-winning version of Bill Withers' "Lean on Me," which topped charts and became a timeless anthem. With their blend of pop, R&B, and a bit of new wave, Club Nouveau continues to be a beloved act known for their catchy hits and energetic live performances.
Career Highlights
Formation & origin (1986): Created by Jay King in Sacramento following the Timex Social Club split, establishing a new R&B/dance act for the late-’80s market.
Breakout album — Life, Love & Pain (1986): Debut LP reached the top of the Billboard R&B/Soul albums chart and climbed into the pop top 10, launching three major singles.
#1 crossover single — “Lean on Me” (1987): Their reworking of Bill Withers’ classic hit reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance charts, and the song’s success was recognized with a Grammy for Best R&B Song.
Launchpad for top producers: Early members Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy left after the first album to form the Foster & McElroy production team, later producing and shaping acts such as En Vogue.
Enduring influence & sampling: Tracks like “Why You Treat Me So Bad?” have been sampled and interpolated widely (notably by Luniz on “I Got 5 on It”), extending Club Nouveau’s impact into hip-hop and R&B for decades.
Music Videos
Live Performances
