The Five Keys

The Five Keys is an American rhythm and blues vocal group that were instrumental in shaping this genre in the 1950s.

It was formed with the name Sentimental Four in Newport News, Virginia, USA, in the late 1940s, and initially consisted of two sets of brothers - Rudy West (b. 25th July 1932, Newport News, Virginia, USA) and Bernie West (b. 4th February 1930, Newport News, Virginia, USA), and Ripley Ingram (b. 1930, d. 23rd March 1995, Newport News, Virginia, USA) and Raphael Ingram. Raphael Ingram left in 1949 and Maryland Pierce (b. 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, In 1952 Rudy West left to join the 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.

Discography:

• 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)