Four Jacks and a Jill is a South African folk rock ensemble.
Career They originally formed in 1964 without a "Jill" under the name "The Nevadas". Subsequently, they became the first group in South Africa to wear their hair long and they changed their name to "The Zombies" (different from the well-known British group). Later they added lead singer Glenys Lynne and changed the group's name to "Four Jacks and A Jill". The group included Clive Harding (bass guitar), Keith Andrews (rhythm guitar and organ), replaced by the late Mark Poulos (guitar and organ) during 1966–1967 and subsequently Till Hanneman who joined in 1967 (rhythm guitar, organ and trumpet), Bruce Bark (lead guitar, harmonica and saxophone), Tony Hughes (drums) and Glenys Lynne (lead vocal and organ). In South Africa, they had a hit song, "Timothy". In 1968 they cracked the American charts with the song "Master Jack", hitting the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 18 and reaching No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[ Billboard Singles @ Allmusic.com] The song also reached No. 10 on Cashbox and went to No. 1 in South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The follow-up single, "Mr. Nico", peaked at No. 98 in the United States. That was their last hit in the U.S., but the group continued to score hits in their native country.[ Biography @ Allmusic.com]
They have recorded and produced albums for a range of sing-along educational story books for various South African charities.
Members
Bass Guitar: Clive Harding (1965 – 1983) *Original Member
Lead Vocals: - Lead Vocals (1965 – 1983) *Original Member
Drums: Tony Hughes/Rouse (1965 – 1982) *Original Member Mossie Christopher Hills (1982 – 1983)
Guitar: Bruce Bark (1965 – 1969) *Original Member Marc Paulos (1966 – 1967) Till Hannemann (1967 – 1969) Pierre van Riel (1969 – 1978) Keith Lansom (1969 – 1971) Josh Sklair (1973 – 1976) Paul De Villiers (1973) John Emmott (1976 – 1977) Nigel Surtees (1977) Paul Nissen (1978 – 1980) John Ferrier (1980 – 1983) Len Dippenaar (1980 – 1983)
Trumpet: Keith Andrews (1965 – 1966) *Original Member
Piano: Cedric Hornby (1971 – 1973) Mike Nettmann (1973 – 1975)
Keyboard: Brian Rubenstein (1975 – 1976) Neill Pienaar (1976 – 1980) Glynn Storm (1976)
Discography
Albums + List of studio albums, showing all relevant details Year Title Peak chart positionsRecord LabelBillboard 200 1965 Jimmy Come Lately – RCA Victor 1966 Listen! Listen! – 1967 The House with the White Washed Gables – Timothy and Other Hits – 1968 Master Jack 155 Fables – 1976 Sell a Million – Gallo Record Company
Singles YearTitlePeak chart positionsRecord LabelB-sideAlbum US AC SA AUS 1965 "Jimmy Come Lately" – – 2 – RCA Victor "Can't Help Lovin' You" Jimmy Come Lately 1967 "The House with the White Washed Gables" – – 20 – "Walk the World" The House with the White Washed Gables "Timothy" – – 1 – "Leaves Are Falling" Master Jack "Master Jack" 18 3 1 18 "I Looked Back" 1968 "Mister Nico" 98 25 12 81 "Sunny Side of Somewhere" "Hey Mister" 130 34 – – "Sad Little Pidgeon" Fables 1969 "Grandfather Dugan" – – – – "Stone in My Shoe" "Pretty Belinda" – – – – "Makin' Music" 1971 "Ketchup on My Ice Cream" – – – – "Old Soul" 1973 "Universal Feeling" – – 11 – Epidemic Records "If All the World Were Apple Pie" "Jack-A-Dandy" – – – – Ariola Records "Love" 1975 "Sell a Million" – – – – Delta Records "Sweet Sweet Lovin'" Sell a Million
Special Releases
Gospel Albums A Time For Giving Volume 1 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) A Time For Giving Volume 2 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) A Time Of Faith Volume 1 (Jill Music Publishers) A Time Of Faith Volume 2 (Jill Music Publishers)
Supporting Animal Anti-Cruelty League The Adventures of Tony and Friends - Volume 1 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) The Adventures of Tony and Friends - Volume 2 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) The Adventures of Tony and Friends - Volume 3 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) The Adventures of Tony and Friends - Volume 4 (Jill Music Publishers, 2009) The Adventures of Tony and Friends - Volume 5 (Jill Music Publishers, 2011)
Supporting Institute for the Blind The Adventures of Angel and Friends - Volume 1 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) The Adventures of Angel and Friends - Volume 2 (Jill Music Publishers, 2006)
Supporting National St Giles Association The Adventures of Peter and Friends - Volume 1 (Jill Music Publishers, 2004) The Adventures of Peter and Friends - Volume 2 (Jill Music Publishers, 2009) The Adventures of Peter and Friends - Volume 3 (Jill Music Publishers, 2013)
Supporting National Council for Persons with Disabilities On Tour with The New Jeans - Volume 1 (2011) On Tour with The New Jeans - Volume 2 (2012)
Instrumental Albums An African Tapestry (2007) Music to Drive By (2008) Ornaments of the Sky (2008) Escape to Africa (2009) Birds in Song (2010) An African Farm (2011) An African Safari (2011) Seasons (2013) Oceans (2013) Towards Egypt (2014) On My Walk (2014) By My Side (2014) Dreams (2014) Love Songs (2014)
In popular culture In the mockumentary film This is Spinal Tap, the character Lt. Robert Hookstratten recommends Four Jacks and a Jill to the members of Spinal Tap.
References