The group formed in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1950s with Eugene Pitt, Jerome Hanna, Richard Harris, Thurmon Prophet, and Norman Johnson. The group found success in 1961 with "My True Story" on Beltone Records, which reached No. 3 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart.
The group reorganized following the death of Hanna in 1962 with Pitt, Johnson, Hanna's replacement Andre Coles, Casey Spencer, and Beatrice Best. They recorded "What Time is It" and "These Golden Rings" for Belltone, before switching to United Artists Records, where they had a hit with "I'm a Happy Man". In 1970 the group moved to Decca Records and recorded as "The Jyve Fyve", with Pitt, Spencer, Richard Fisher, and Richard Harris's brother Webster. They had a minor hit with this name, "I Want You To Be My Baby", on Decca. They also recorded briefly for Avco Records. They made a 1974 recording for Chess Records as "Shadow", and a 1975 recording for Columbia Records as "Ebony, Ivory, and the Jades".
They changed back to "The Jive Five" in 1978. At this time the line-up was Pitt, Spencer, and the returning Beatrice Best and Richard Harris. The group reorganized in 1982, with Pitt, Best, Charles Mitchell, and Pitt's brothers Herbert and Frank. In the late 1990s, the group was Pitt, Best, Harold Gill, Maurice Unthank, and Art Loria. Daniel Loria came in for Best at times, who was in and out with health issues.
In 1985, Eugene and The Jive Five were introduced to New York cable TV branding consultants Fred Seibert and Alan Goodman (and their company Fred/Alan, Inc.) by their latest producer, Ambient Sound's Marty Pekar. Together with Fred/Alan producer Tom Pomposello they embarked on an almost ten-year relationship, creating and singing the a cappella signature sound of the American kids' television network Nickelodeon, one of the first popular "network" specialized cable television channels. They used the group to write and record some of the most memorable advertising jingles of their day with the catch phrase, "Nic-Nic-Nic", performed in a doo wop style. They were part of the popular "Kid's Choice" awards, and later, they worked on ID's for HBO Family in 1999.
The group performed on the PBS special Doo Wop 50. The line-up was Pitt, Spencer, Richard Harris, Best, and a fifth member. Between 2000 and 2006 the line up was led by Pitt on lead vocals, Bea Best, Art Loria (formerly of The Belmonts and Earls), Danny Loria and Harold Gilly. Maurice Unthank took over as band leader. The group released a single in 2003 entitled “It’s Christmas”, written by Pitt and the Loria’s. It was credited to 'Eugene Pitt and the Jive Five' and featured Pitt, Best, Gill, Unthank, and the Loria’s. Other recordings this line-up recorded included: “Jive Five Sing Along”, “Pretend”, “I Am Yours”, “Falling Tears (remake) “Today”, “Close Your Eyes”, “You”, “Daddy’s Home” and many other single releases.
Eugene Pitt, as one of the founding members with Artie and Danny Loria, was active performing and recording with The Doo Wop All Stars between 1990 and 2006. The group recorded a tribute song to the September 11 attacks victims and heroes, named "We Will Never Fall". It was a Jive Five release in 2001 that was credited to the group “Voices for America”.
In June 2010, the group consisted of the 72-year-old Eugene Pitt, first tenor Frank Pitt, second tenor Casey Spencer, baritone Beatrice Best, and bass Herbert Pitt.
Norman Johnson died in 1970. Webster Harris died in 2003. Maurice Unthank died on July 21, 2008. Artie Loria died on October 23, 2010. As of 2013, Danny Loria still performs and records with the Doo Wop All Stars. He also produces, promotes and is the President of Alpine Entertainment, an entertainment and publishing company.
Eugene Pitt died in 2018. The Jive Five, with Eugene Pitt at the helm spent 60 years as one of the most popular Doo Wop / R&B / classic Rock and Roll musical acts. Terry Stewart, President & CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, called Pitt "the most underrated soul singer in America"
Alpine Entertainment in association with Street Corner Entertainment (Las Vegas) will be releasing a new CD containing unreleased Jive Five material in 2020 in memory of the passing of Eugene Pitt. The album (still yet to be titled) will feature a mix of recordings that will include unreleased original recordings, live shows, re-releases of their top hits, original songs written by Pitt and other collector items.
What Time Is It?
The Jive Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've just got to know
What time is it (It's five o'clock)
Three more hours to go
Till I hold her in my arms
And tell her that I want her for my own
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
(Tick-tock, listen to the clock)
What time is it
Tell me once again
What time is it (It's six o'clock)
Two more hours and then
I will kiss her sweet lips
While the magic of the moonlight makes her mine
(Tick-tock, tick-tock, better hurry up)
And put my tie on
(Better hurry up)
It's almost time
(Tick-tock, listen to the clock)
(Tick-tock, listen to the clock)
What time is it (It's seven o'clock)
Just one hour more
What time is it (It's eight o'clock)
Now I'm at her door
And my heart is beating fast
The moment's here at last
What time is it
(It's time for love)
Doo-wop...
The Jive Five’s “What Time Is It” is a late 1950s doo-wop song about a man who is counting down the hours until he can see his true love. The song is mainly about the anticipation and eagerness to see his lover. He wants to know what time it is so he can plan and prepare himself for meeting his love. The song is made up of three verses, each detailing the time left until he can see his sweetheart.
In the first verse, he asks what time it is and is told that it is five o'clock, giving him three more hours to wait until he can see his lover. He plans on holding her in his arms and telling her that he wants her for himself. The ticking of the clock is heard in the background, emphasizing the passing of time and highlighting the need to hurry up.
In the second verse, he asks what time it is again and is told that it is six o'clock, leaving him with two more hours to go. He plans on kissing her sweet lips while the magic of the moonlight makes her his own. The ticking of the clock is heard again, prompting the need to hurry up and put his tie on before it's too late.
In the final verse, he asks what time it is once more and is told that it is seven o'clock, leaving him with just one more hour to wait. As the song progresses, the listener is pulled into the narrative, feeling the excitement and nerves that the singer is feeling, finally slowing down when the singer reaches the woman's door at eight o'clock.
Line by Line Meaning
What time is it
The singer urgently wants to know what time it is.
I've just got to know
The singer stresses the importance of knowing the time.
What time is it (It's five o'clock)
The answer is given that it's currently five o'clock.
Three more hours to go
The artist has to wait for three more hours.
Till I hold her in my arms
The artist is waiting for the moment when they can embrace their loved one.
And tell her that I want her for my own
The singer wants to confess his love to the person he's waiting for.
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
The sound of a clock ticking is heard in the background.
(Tick-tock, listen to the clock)
The artist urges the listener to pay attention to the ticking of the clock.
Tell me once again
The artist is asking again for the current time.
What time is it (It's six o'clock)
The answer is given that it's now six o'clock.
Two more hours and then
The singer has to wait for another two hours.
I will kiss her sweet lips
The artist anticipates kissing their loved one.
While the magic of the moonlight makes her mine
The singer is romanticizing the moment when they'll finally be together.
(Tick-tock, tick-tock, better hurry up)
The clock's ticking is a reminder that time is running out.
And put my tie on
The singer is getting dressed up for their meeting with their loved one.
(Better hurry up)
The ticking clock emphasizes the need for the artist to hurry up.
It's almost time
The artist is getting closer to the moment they've been waiting for.
Just one hour more
The singer has to wait for only one more hour.
Now I'm at her door
The singer has finally arrived at their loved one's door.
And my heart is beating fast
The artist is feeling excited and nervous.
The moment's here at last
After waiting for so long, the moment has finally arrived.
(It's time for love)
The artist sings that it's time for them to express their love.
Doo-wop...
A musical interlude follows.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB FELDMAN, JERRY GOLDSTEIN, RICHARD GOTTEHRER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@snackcakeman
This is incredible. The way it is sung and the harmonies. The lead vocal, incredible singing voice.
@lancelot1953
What a powerful song - Eugene Pitts voice is so powerful and melodious. The arrangement of the background harmonics is very nicely orchestrated, that song gets tears in my eyes. Reminds me of the feelings I experience with the Flamingo's "only have eyes for you". The work that went into the melody and music is phenomenal - a top quality product. Thank you for sharing this with the community. Lancelot
@ccooley101
You are absolutely right, regarding the music here! Key changes, chimes, guitar riffs, bass "punctuation," and the incomparable voice of Gene Pitts. I feel like a time traveler because that song transports me!! Do you know who penned the song?
@carolw990
When I was 18 they came to my town. My friends and I went to see them. After the show, they came to my house and we all played poker and drank beers. They were great as a group and as regular people. I am 73 now. Good memories!
@davidmaslow399
Wow! I'm envious! Cool story!
@davidmaslow399
I'm 71 and Love this!
@rossl5908
They came to my house and just spunked everywhere, still cleaning spunk to this day!
@davidwest951
Carol you know dam well they laid down the pipe on ya
@toddwindyhill
Go Carol!....ditto on the 73!
@edweichsler5051
Today, June 29th, 2018 the incredible voice of (Eu)gene Pitt has been stilled. This remains (to me) one of the truly great Doo Wop songs ever recorded. He could still hit those notes well into his 70's. What a voice! R.I.P. Gene.