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Best known for the number one R&B hit "My True Story," the Jive
Five were one of the few vocal groups to survive the transistion from
the '50s to the '60s. In the process, they helped move the music
itself forward, providing a key link between doo wop and '60s soul.
Pitt (lead), Jerome Hanna (tenor), Richard Harris (tenor), Billy
Prophet (baritone), and Norman Johnson (bass). The Jive Five's first
hit, "My True Story," was their biggest, peaking at number one on
the R&B charts and number three on the pop charts in the summer
of 1961. None of the band's subsequent singles -- including the
minor R&B hit, 1962's "These Golden Rings" -- were as popular, but
the group managed to keep performing and recording. Under the
direction of Eugene Pitt and Norman Johnson, the Jive Five
refashioned themselves as a soul band in 1964, forming a new
lineup with Casey Spencer (tenor), Webster Harris (tenor), and
Beatrice Best (baritone). This new incarnation of the band signed to
United Artists Records. The group only had one hit on UA, 1965's
"I'm a Happy Man."
In 1966, the Jive Five left United Artists and signed with Musicor,
where they had the 1968 R&B hit "Sugar (Don't Take Away My
Candy)." They changed labels again in 1970, signing with Decca.
That same year, they changed their name to the Jyve Fyve, in order
to appear more contemporary. The Jyve Fyve had only one minor
R&B hit, 1970's "I Want You to Be My Baby."
The group continued to perform and record for a variety of small
labels during the '70s, but they never had another hit. Throughout
the '70s and '80s, the only constant member was Eugene Pitt. In
1975, Pitt changed the name of the group to Ebony, Ivory, and the
Jades, but this new incarnation failed to gain much attention. In
1982, Pitt changed the name of the group back to the Jive Five and
the band recorded two albums for the indie label, Ambient Sound.
For the rest of the '80s and the '90s, the Jive Five were regulars on
the oldies circuit.
Buy this CD
The Best of the Jive Five
Buy this CD
Live on Stage
Buy this CD
Five were one of the few vocal groups to survive the transistion from
the '50s to the '60s. In the process, they helped move the music
itself forward, providing a key link between doo wop and '60s soul.
Pitt (lead), Jerome Hanna (tenor), Richard Harris (tenor), Billy
Prophet (baritone), and Norman Johnson (bass). The Jive Five's first
hit, "My True Story," was their biggest, peaking at number one on
the R&B charts and number three on the pop charts in the summer
of 1961. None of the band's subsequent singles -- including the
minor R&B hit, 1962's "These Golden Rings" -- were as popular, but
the group managed to keep performing and recording. Under the
direction of Eugene Pitt and Norman Johnson, the Jive Five
refashioned themselves as a soul band in 1964, forming a new
lineup with Casey Spencer (tenor), Webster Harris (tenor), and
Beatrice Best (baritone). This new incarnation of the band signed to
United Artists Records. The group only had one hit on UA, 1965's
"I'm a Happy Man."
In 1966, the Jive Five left United Artists and signed with Musicor,
where they had the 1968 R&B hit "Sugar (Don't Take Away My
Candy)." They changed labels again in 1970, signing with Decca.
That same year, they changed their name to the Jyve Fyve, in order
to appear more contemporary. The Jyve Fyve had only one minor
R&B hit, 1970's "I Want You to Be My Baby."
The group continued to perform and record for a variety of small
labels during the '70s, but they never had another hit. Throughout
the '70s and '80s, the only constant member was Eugene Pitt. In
1975, Pitt changed the name of the group to Ebony, Ivory, and the
Jades, but this new incarnation failed to gain much attention. In
1982, Pitt changed the name of the group back to the Jive Five and
the band recorded two albums for the indie label, Ambient Sound.
For the rest of the '80s and the '90s, the Jive Five were regulars on
the oldies circuit.
Buy this CD
The Best of the Jive Five
Buy this CD
Live on Stage
Buy this CD
My True Story
What Time Is IT
Never Never
What Time Is IT
Eugene Pitt
It was an extreme pleasure and an honour to be a proud
member of the Jive Five for five years. Eugene and the
group are all wonderful people, true gentlemen and a
ball of talent. Thank you for letting me be part of musical
legendary history.
John Martelli
member of the Jive Five for five years. Eugene and the
group are all wonderful people, true gentlemen and a
ball of talent. Thank you for letting me be part of musical
legendary history.
John Martelli
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