Disco » Disco People » DJs / Remixers » Tim Rivers

Tim Rivers

San Francisco, CA Disco DJ (1950-1995)

Tim Rivers Tim Rivers, "Timmy" to his friends and fans, was one of the major architects in building the disco scene in San Francisco that started in the mid-seventies. Tim was the city's first "deejay's deejay" who rose to prominence at the Mind Shaft and Bones and went on to lead his musical team of Steve Fabus and Michael Garrett at the I-Beam.

Timmy played a rich blend of gospel influenced soulful disco, heavy on the Salsoul, Prelude and West End sound, and was a pioneer in the city akin to Larry Levan or Frankie Knuckles.

Timmy made the I-Beam his temple and put the club and the city on the map in the late seventies where he was loved by his devoted fans that packed the club on his Thursday and Saturday nights. Tim also worked with close friends Sylvester and Don Miley over the years.

Photo and description below submitted by Steve Fabus:
Tim Rivers Hi Bernie,
Here's another picture of Tim Rivers at BADDA (Bay Area Disco Deejay Association) record pool in San Francisco. He is standing over Nick Lygizos on the right and Adrian Santos on the left.

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Posted by: Bernie: DiscoMusic.com



Reader Comments on Tim Rivers

 

Shawn Benson was also part of Timmy's dancefloor family where you could hear his beautiful and distinctive voice hitting improvised notes weaving over the beats. Shawn's recording career started to bloom from the dancefloor of the I-Beam where he always gave Timmy and me his abundant energy and love.
 
Posted Apr 23, 05 | 11:05 pm by Steve Fabus

Tim Rivers and Vincent Carleo were my mentors, the reason I became a DJ. Timmy gave me his special love and told me "to trust that the music would come from my soul". Timmy said, "that when a DJ starts his night it's like an painter with a blank canvass". He said, "what I play at 11 pm should relate to what I play at 2 am and 5 am". He told me "an artist is a technician that will create a style, technique and signature sound, but has the wisdom to know that the music comes first".
"Do your work of preparing, build up trust with the crowd, and give a performance as if this was the only night you would ever play."
Tim Rivers was a master who played from his heart for all of those blessed to be a part of his creation.
It was a time of San Francisco disco history that became a part of me forever when I played with Tim at the I-Beam in its glory days in the late seventies.
 
Posted Apr 24, 05 | 12:48 am by Steve Fabus

I think Tim was my favorite SF DJ , besides being a nice guy anyway. Interesting that you described Timmy's music as "gospel influenced soulful disco" ..... for some reason, I still have a strong association with Tim and Al Green's " I Feel Good " , a song I do not remember hearing anywhere else. If you wanted to hear this kind of tune , the I-Beam was the place to go. Another one that comes to mind was Anthony White's "I Can't Turn You Loose." which I remember the repeated intentional dropping out of its bass and then the powerful impact from bringing it suddenly back in.
There was a particular group of characters I semi-hung out with and it seemed like one of the final commitments for the coming evening was where to meet .... and it was usually between the I-Beam or the Troc. Thanks for some great memories , Tim Rivers, Steve Fabus , and all that made the I-Beam that special place that it was ..... in the middle of rowdy Haight Street no less .
 
Posted May 03, 05 | 7:20 pm by remicks

I worked with Tim in San Diego in 1987. At the time he was singing with the San Diego Mens Chorale. In December 1987 he made a Christmas cassette tape of holiday songs which I listen to each year. It is a beautiful tape and every year I think of him and wonder where he is. How wonderful and sad it was to Google him this year and finally know what became of him.
 
Posted Dec 03, 05 | 9:24 am by Renae Tates

Tim and I were very good friends in the early 90's in San Diego and even made a few recordings together. I recently posted a tribute to Tim on my blog and also converted his well-loved Christmas tape (plus all the recordings he and I made together) to digital and made everything available for download at this dedicated page at my website. I'd love to hear from anyone who was also lucky enough to know Tim. You can leave comments at my blog or email me via any of the many links at my website.
 
Posted Jan 02, 07 | 8:05 am by PianoSteve

Bonjour , je voudrais remercier TIM RIVERS pour les mix composés 1988 - 1991 / 1989 6 1991 HOUSE TECHNO
SALUTATIONS < DJ SAMIX
 
Posted Aug 15, 07 | 7:07 am by SAMIX

I am Timothy's (as he's known to the family) sister, Zipporah. Our names were always said in unison whenever there was trouble arising. He was the most talented and loving person that I know, and I loved him dearly. When his health deteriorated, he came to Atlanta to live with me the last year of his life. I am so grateful that I was able to have that time with him. My brother (Jim) and sisters (Elizabeth, Charlotte and Judy) came down from Ohio very often to help me with him. I've been to the Mind Shaft and I-Beam to hear him DJ. I was so proud of him. His presence is greatly missed by his family and friends.
 
Posted Jan 07, 09 | 6:34 am by Zipporah Rivers King

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