Mastermind behind iconic 80s pop act Jive Bunny dies aged 84 as tributes paid to ‘industry pioneer’

The mastermind behind the iconic pop act Jive Bunny has died, it was announced yesterday. John Pickles, 84, who created the cartoon rabbit, was described in tributes as an “incredibly talented songwriter” and “true pioneer in the music industry”. English DJ group Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers Credit: Getty Let’s Party climbed all the way to the top of the UK charts Credit: Getty An online message from his loved ones said: “His creativity, vision and passion for music touched the lives and careers of so many people around the world. And for the most fortunate of us, he was Dad.” In 1989 he led a group of pals from Doncaster and Rotherham to history when they hit the number one spot with their third single. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! They had created the infamous Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers and Let’s Party climbed all the way to the top of the UK charts, following on from debut release Swing The Mood and chart-topper That’s What I Like. They became only the third act to reach No.1 with their first three singles, following on from Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1964 and Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1984 – and took the shortest time to achieve the feat. John used the Hawaii Five-O theme as the basis for That’s What I Like Credit: Alamy John was remembered as an ‘incredibly talented songwriter’ Credit: Facebook / Mastermix The novelty act, fronted by a cartoon bunny who appeared in their music videos, was the brainchild of Doncaster DJ and producer Les Hemstock and father-and-son team John and Andrew Pickles, who ran and owned an electrical shop. Mastermix said yesterday: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Pickles, Founder and Creator of The Music Factory Entertainment Group, Mastermix and Jive Bunny. “John was a leader, an entrepreneur, a businessman, and an incredibly talented songwriter.” Using sampling and synthesisers to combine pop music from the early rock ‘n’ roll era together into a medley, the catchy songs took the British charts by storm. Most read in Showbiz Swing The Mood topped the UK charts for five weeks in the summer of 1989 – and also became a huge hit in a string of other countries – and Jive Bunny mania began. Andy and John used the Hawaii Five-O theme as the basis for That’s What I Like, which spent three weeks at the top in October 1989. And the chart hat trick was completed when Let’s Party, a mash-up of Christmas songs also made it to the pinnacle. Jive Bunny: The Album also followed and the act had 11 entries in the UK singles chart between July 1989 and November 1991. But despite selling thousands of records all over the globe, the Jive Bunny story was not to last. While fourth and fifth singles That Sounds Good To Me and Can Can You Party also made the top ten in 1990, the next track, Let’s Swing Again stalled at number 19. Three more songs in 1991 fared little better – with two of them failing to hit the top 40. Follow-up albums also failed to emulate the success of the band’s debut and almost as soon as it had started, Jive Bunny’s spell in the musical spotlight was over. But with that hat-trick of number ones, their place in music history was secured. Family friend Rupert Lawes said yesterday: “Very sad to hear of the passing of John Pickles, founder of Music Factory and a true legend of the industry. I had the pleasure of meeting John a few times when I was working for Music Factory back in the early 90s, and he was always such a lovely, genuine guy. He made a huge contribution to the music and DJ industry and will be very sadly missed.”