The Five Keys
The Five Keys | |
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![]() The Five Keys in 1952 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Sentimental Four |
Origin | Newport News, Virginia,US |
Genres | Rhythm and blues,doo-wop |
Years active | 1948–1962 |
Labels | Aladdin Records,Capitol Records |
The Five Keyswere an Americanrhythm and bluesvocalgroup who were instrumental in shaping this genre in the 1950s.[1]
They were formed with the original name ofSentimental FourinNewport News, Virginia,US, in the late 1940s, and initially consisted of two sets of brothers - Rudy West and Bernie West, and Ripley Ingram[2]and Raphael Ingram.[3]Raphael Ingram left in 1949 and Maryland Pierce (March 25, 1932 – July 22, 2021)[4][5]and Thomas 'Dickie' Threatt became members in his place. At this juncture the name of the group was changed to The Five Keys.[3]
They were signed toAladdin Recordsin 1951, and in 1952 Rudy West left to join theUnited States Army,and he was replaced by Ulysses K. Hicks. When Hicks died of a heart attack in Boston in 1955, Rudy West returned to the group.[6]In 1954 Dickie Smith left and was replaced with Ramon Loper. At this point the Five Keys were signed toCapitol Records,and their popularity increased, although more instrumentation was used.[3]
The group was inducted into theVocal Group Hall of Famein 2002.[7] Rudy West died of a heart attack on May 14, 1998, at age 65. Ramon Loper died on October 16, 2002, after a short illness.[8]
Dickie Threatt, lead tenor from 1958 to 1961, died on October 9, 2007, in Newport News, Virginia.
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- The Best of the Five Keys(Aladdin 1956)
- The Five Keys on the Town(Score 1957)
- The Five Keys on Stage(Capitol 1957)
- The Five Keys(King 1960)
- Rhythm and Blues Hits Past and Present(King 1960)
- The Fantastic Five Keys(Capitol 1962)
Singles
[edit]Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
Chart positions | Album | |
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US Hot 100 | US R&B | |||
1951 | "The Glory of Love" b/w "Hucklebuck with Jimmy" |
1 | Best of The Five Keys | |
"It's Christmas Time" b/w "Old MacDonald" (Non-album track) |
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1952 | "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" b/w "Old MacDonald" |
Non-album tracks | ||
"Darling" b/w "Goin' Downtown (8-9-10)" Unreleased |
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"Be Anything But Be Mine" b/w "Red Sails in the Sunset" (fromBest of The Five Keys) |
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"Mistakes" b/w "How Long" |
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"I Hadn't Anyone Till You" b/w "Hold Me" |
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"I Cried for You" b/w "Serve Another Round" (fromBest of The Five Keys) |
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1953 | "Can't Keep From Crying" b/w "Come Go My Bail, Louise" |
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"Mama (Your Daughter Told a Lie on Me)" b/w "There Ought to Be a Law (Against Breaking a Heart)" |
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"These Foolish Things" b/w "Lonesome Old Story" (Non-album track) |
Best of The Five Keys | |||
"Teardrops in Your Eyes" b/w "I'm So High" (Non-album track) |
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"Oh Babe!" b/w "My Saddest Hour" |
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1954 | "Love My Loving" b/w "Someday, Sweetheart" (Non-album track) |
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"Deep in My Heart" b/w "How Do You Expect Me to Get It" |
Non-album tracks | |||
"Ling, Ting, Tong" b/w "I'm Alone" (Non-album track) |
28 | 5 | The Fantastic Five Keys | |
1955 | "Close Your Eyes" b/w "Doggone It, You Did It" |
5 | ||
"My Love" b/w "Why, Oh Why" |
Non-album tracks | |||
"The Verdict" b/w "Me Make Um Pow Wow" (Non-album track) |
13 | The Fantastic Five Keys | ||
"Don't You Know I Love You" b/w "I Wish I'd Never Learned To Read" |
Non-album tracks | |||
"'Cause You're My Lover" / | 12 | |||
"Gee Whittakers!" | 14 | |||
1956 | "Story of Love" b/w "Serve Another Round" (fromBest of The Five Keys) |
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"What Goes On" b/w "You Break the Rules of Love" |
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"I Dreamt I Dwelt in Heaven" b/w "She's the Most" (fromThe Fantastic Five Keys) |
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"Peace and Love" b/w "My Pigeon's Gone" |
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"Out of Sight, Out of Mind" b/w "That's Right" |
23 | 12 | ||
"Wisdom of a Fool" b/w "Now Don't That Prove I Love You" (Non-album track) |
35 | The Fantastic Five Keys | ||
1957 | "Let There Be You" b/w "Tiger Lily" |
83 | On Stage! | |
"It's a Groove" b/w "Four Walls" |
Non-album tracks | |||
"The Blues Don't Care" b/w "This I Promise You" (Non-album track) |
The Fantastic Five Keys | |||
"The Face of an Angel" b/w "Boom Boom" (fromOn Stage!) |
Non-album tracks | |||
"Do Anything" b/w "It's a Cryin' Shame" |
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"From Me to You" b/w "Whippety Whirl" |
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1958 | "With All My Love" b/w "You're for Me" |
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"Handy Andy" b/w "Emily Please" |
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"One Great Love" b/w "Really-O Truly-O" |
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1959 | "I Took Your Love for a Toy" b/w "Ziggus" |
The Five Keys | ||
"Dream On" b/w "Dancing Senorita" |
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1960 | "How Can I Forget You" b/w "I Burned Your Letter" |
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"Gonna Be Too Late" b/w "Rosetta" |
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"I Didn't Know" b/w "No Says My Heart" (fromRhythm and Blues Hits - Past and Present) |
Non-album track | |||
"Valley of Love" b/w "Bimbo" |
Rhythm and Blues Hits - Past and Present | |||
1961 | "Stop Your Crying" b/w "Do Something for Me" |
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1962 | "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" b/w "You're the One" |
Non-album tracks | ||
"From the Bottom of My Heart" b/w "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" |
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1964 | "I'll Never Stop Loving You" b/w "I Can't Escape from You" |
Rhythm and Blues Hits - Past and Present | ||
1967 | "Hey Girl" b/w "No Matter" |
Non-album tracks | ||
1973 | "Goddess of Love" b/w "Stop - What You're Doing to Me" |
References
[edit]- ^"Biography".AllMusic.Retrieved2010-02-25.
- ^"Ripley Ingram, Part Of Famous Five Keys".tribunedigital-dailypress.Retrieved2018-07-26.
- ^abcWarner, Jay (2006).American singing groups: a history from 1940 to today.Hal Leonard Corporation. p.183.ISBN978-0-634-09978-6.
- ^"Maryland Pierce Obituary (1932 - 2021)".obits.cleveland.com.The Plain Dealer.July 31, 2022.RetrievedJune 29,2022.
- ^Goldberg, Marv(April 30, 2005)."The 5 Keys".Unca Marvy's R&B Page.RetrievedJune 29,2022.
- ^Hicks, of 5 Keys. Dies in Bostpn.Billboard. February 12, 1955.RetrievedDecember 15,2013.
- ^"The Five Keys (Inducted 2002)".Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation.Retrieved2010-02-25.
- ^"Ramon Navarro Loper".Tribunedigital-dailypress.Retrieved2018-07-26.
External links
[edit]- The Five Keysdiscography atDiscogs