The “True Story” Of The Jive Five – 1960

Brooklyn Doo-Wop group The Jive Five hit the recording studio earlier this month in 1960, and recorded what would become their biggest hit record, the haunting classic “My True Story.”

The Jive Five are important because they were one of a handful of groups who helped bridge the gap between Doo-Wop, which was waning in popularity, while “Soul” music which was just beginning to take hold.

The group is in a subgenre of Doo-Wop known as “Gang Doo-Wop.” These were young men straight off of the street corners, mostly singing to avoid the perils of gang life.

	Genies, The – Who’s That Knocking

In fact, the group’s lead singer, Eugene Pitt, first recorded with a group named The Genies, who had a minor hit with the single “Who’s That Knocking.”

He joined that group after losing a battle to legendary Bed-Stuy based group The Velours on Dean Street.

“My True Story” was released on Beltone Records in 1961 and by the summer, the single had topped the R&B charts and was resting comfortably at the #3 position on the pop chart.

On Beltone, the group hit with a series of singles in addition to “My True Story.”

They recorded songs like “What Time Is It,” “Hully Gully Calling Time” and a favorite amongst aficionados, “These Golden Rings,” which skillfully borrows a “talking bridge” from a rare record by The Strangers.

The Jive Five recorded for Beltone Records for two years, from 1961 until 1963, when the group left for a deal with the United Artists record label.

While under contract to United Artists, the Jive Five continued their hot streak, with 1965′s single “I’m A Happy Man.”

The following year they left United Artists to sign a deal Musicor, which produced one last minor R&B hit, “Don’t Take My Candy Away.”

The group continued recording and touring throughout the 1970’s and 80’s.

Presently, The Jive Five still perform on the oldies circuit and lead singer Eugene Pitt continues to release albums.

The group has achieved fame on television, by singing Doo-Wop jingles for kids network Nickelodeon for the past 17 years.

One obscure fact about Eugene Pitt. One of the earliest groups he was a member of featured Eddie Murphy’s uncle, Ray Murphy and Eddie Murphy’s father Charles Murphy.

The name of the group was The Akrons.