The Five Keys
Encyclopedia
The Five Keys is an American
rhythm and blues
vocal group that was instrumental in shaping this genre in the 1950s.
It was formed with the original name of Sentimental Four in Newport News
, Virginia
, U.S.
, in the late 1940s, and initially consisted of two sets of brothers - Rudy West (born 25 July 1932, Newport News, Virginia) and Bernie West (born 4 February 1930, Newport News), and Ripley Ingram (born 1930 - died 23 March 1995, Newport News) and Raphael Ingram. Ingram left in 1949 and Maryland Pierce (born 1933) and Dickie Smith became members in his place. At this juncture the name of the group was changed to The Five Keys.
They were signed to Aladdin Records
in 1951, and in 1952 Rudy West left to join the United States Army
, and he was replaced by Ulysses K. Hicks. In 1954 Dickie Smith left and was replaced with Ramon Loper. At this point the Five Keys was signed to Capitol Records
, and their popularity increased, although more instrumentation was used.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
in 2002.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
vocal group that was instrumental in shaping this genre in the 1950s.
It was formed with the original name of Sentimental Four in Newport News
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the late 1940s, and initially consisted of two sets of brothers - Rudy West (born 25 July 1932, Newport News, Virginia) and Bernie West (born 4 February 1930, Newport News), and Ripley Ingram (born 1930 - died 23 March 1995, Newport News) and Raphael Ingram. Ingram left in 1949 and Maryland Pierce (born 1933) and Dickie Smith became members in his place. At this juncture the name of the group was changed to The Five Keys.
They were signed to Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records was a post-World War II United States record label, with headquarters in Hollywood, California. The label was founded in 1945 by brothers Eddie, Leo, and Ira Mesner and was originally called Philo Records, before changing to its better-known name in April 1946.Aladdin Records...
in 1951, and in 1952 Rudy West left to join the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, and he was replaced by Ulysses K. Hicks. In 1954 Dickie Smith left and was replaced with Ramon Loper. At this point the Five Keys was signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and their popularity increased, although more instrumentation was used.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Vocal Group Hall of Fame
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor outstanding vocal groups throughout the world. It is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes a theater and a museum....
in 2002.
Albums
- 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)
Charting singles
- The Glory Of Love (1951) U.S. R&B #1
- "Close Your Eyes (1955) U.S. R&B #5
- "Ling, Ting, Tong" (1955) U.S. R&B #5
- "The Verdict" (1955) U.S. R&B #13
- "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" (1956) U.S. #23 U.S. R&B #12
- "Let there Be You" (1957) U.S. #69
- "Wisdom of a Fool" (1957) U.S. #35