The Five Keys

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 name Sentimental Four in Newport News, Virginia, USA, in the late 1940s, and initi

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 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.