The
Jesters representatives of the New York style of Doo-Wop. Their
vocal harmony was in the rock 'n roll style. The Jesters
consisted Lenny McKay, Adam Jackson, Anthony Smith, Leo Vincent
and Noel Grant. The group began in 1955 and signed to the Winley
label. Their first recording was a hit in the New York area
titled, " So Strange" and the flip side was Love No
One But You". "
The
Jive Five
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
transition 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. Formed in Brooklyn, New York, the
group originally consisted of Eugene 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 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.
Bio Update...
As the group continues on in the year 2004 and beyond, they
still perform with 2 originals (PITT & BEST) along with a well
rounded out quintet over 100+ dates a year on the oldies
circuit. They released "It's CHRISTMAS" in 2002 on the
"PITT-KNICK" label and have plans to release a double set CD in
the fall of 2004 featuring some new material and some remakes of
Jive Five rare classics. They are also the group that is
responsible for the Nickelodeon Theme on network television (NIC-NIC-NIC)
by writing and recording all those jingles that are still heard
worldwide everyday. They have become one of the more popular
groups that perform at the "oldies" revival shows, still being
anchored by one of the best soul, R&B lead singers to come out
of the golden era of Rock and Roll - Mr. Eugene Pitt.
Current Members: Artie Loria, Daniel Loria, Harold Gilly, Maurice Unthank
&
Eugene Pitt
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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
transition 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. Formed in Brooklyn, New York, the
group originally consisted of Eugene 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 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.