A REALLY EXCELLENT COPY OF THIS GREAT R&B / DOO-WOP 78 FROM THE FIVE KEYS

THE FIVE KEYS

This US R&B vocal group helped shape the rhythm and blues revolution of the early 50s. The ensemble was formed as the Sentimental Four in Newport News, Virginia, USA, in the late 40s, and originally consisted of two sets of brothers - Rudy West (25 July 1932, Newport News, Virginia, USA) and Bernie West (b. 4 February 1930, Newport News, Virginia, USA), and Ripley Ingram (b. 1930, d. 23 March 1995, Newport News, Virginia, USA) and Raphael Ingram. After Raphael Ingram left and Maryland Pierce (b. 1933) and Dickie Smith became members in 1949, the name of the group was changed to Five Keys. With Pierce doing the lead work, the Five Keys joined Los Angeles-based Aladdin Records in 1951, and the same year had a hit with a remake of the old standard "Glory Of Love", which became a US R&B number 1.

Despite recording an appealing combination of old standards and R&B originals, further chart success on Aladdin eluded the Five Keys. In 1952 Rudy West went into the army, and was replaced by Ulysses K. Hicks, and in 1954 Dickie Smith left and was replaced with Ramon Loper. This new line-up of Five Keys was signed to Capitol Records, which brought the group to stardom, albeit with some modification in their style from a deep rhythm and blues sound to a more pop vein with greater instrumentation in support. The group's first hit for Capitol was the novelty pop jump "Ling, Ting, Tong" (US R&B number 5 and pop Top 30 in 1955).  But by 1955, Rudy West was back and the Five Keys were in the right place at the right time to be recorded using Capitol's advanced audio production techniques. With Rudy on lead, and backed by the Howard Biggs Orchestra (former Ravens arranger) , they recorded 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' and 'Wisdom of a Fool.' Another great Capitol release, 'Close Your Eyes,' featured Maryland Pierce on lead, echoed hauntingly by Rudy's high-floating tenor. Tired of touring, Rudy retired from the group in 1958. In 1959, with the addition of Dickie Threat in Rudy's spot, they recorded several sides for the King label, the most notable being 'Dream On' and 'One Great Love.' Perhaps it was because the record market was changing, or maybe the Keys weren't quite the same without Rudy, but they could not sustain the success they had achieved at Capitol. 

 

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► 2:32► 2:32   UK CAPITOL CL 14821 10" 78rpm SHELLAC   CONDITION - EX+ / NEAR MINT      HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO PICK UP A REALLY EXCELLENT COPY OF THIS GREAT R&B/DOO-WOP VOCAL 78  

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On 29-Oct-05 at 08:29:46 BST, seller added the following information:

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