Four Jacks and a Jill

Four Jacks and a Jill is a South African folk rock ensemble. They originally formed in 1964 without a "Jill" under a different name. Later they added lead singer Glenys Lynne and changed the group's name. 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.^[1] The song also reached no. 5 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.^[2]

They have recorded and produced albums for a range of sing-along educational story books for various South African charities.

Desi Arnaz starred in a movie named Four Jacks and a Jill in 1942. Other co-stars were Ray Bolger, Anne Shirley and June Havoc. Fred Willard, portraying an unhip Air Force officer trying to act hip, mentioned that Four Jacks and a Jill were performing in the lounge at a nearby Ramada Inn in the movie This Is Spinal Tap.

Discography

• Jimmy Come Lately, RCA Victor, 1965
• The House With The White Washed Gables, RCA Victor, 1967
• Timothy And Other Hits, RCA Victor, 1967
• Master Jack, RCA Records, 1968

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)

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, 2004)

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)

Supporting National Council for Persons with Disabilities:

• On Tour with The New Jeans - Volume 1 (2010)
• On Tour with The New Jeans - Volume 2 (2011)

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)

Members

• Glenys Lynne — vocals
• Clive Harding — bass
• Till Hanneman — guitar (later replaced by Keith Andrews)
• Bruce Bark — guitar
• Tony Hughes — drums (aka Tony (John) Rouse)

References