John Pickles, the founder of novelty pop act Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers, has died aged 84, the Mastermix company he established confirmed. Pickles formed Jive Bunny in Rotherham in 1989, and the group achieved three UK number one singles: Swing The Mood, That's What I Like, and Let's Party.
Jive Bunny records typically used synthesisers and sampling to blend contemporary pop with hits from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The group also released a top 10 UK album and scored five UK top 10 singles overall.
Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers consisted of Pickles, his son Andrew, who also served as a director for Mastermix, and Doncaster DJ and producer Les Hemstock. The group's visual identity featured a cartoon rabbit character, with costumed actors making promotional appearances.
The Mastermix company described Pickles as "a true pioneer in the music industry" and "a leader, an entrepreneur, a businessman and an incredibly talented songwriter." The statement added that 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."
Steve White, a DJ who knew Pickles personally, told BBC Radio Sheffield that the group's chart success had been "a people's success story." White added, "It was something that the family could enjoy." In December 2024, Mastermix released a new Jive Bunny production called 3, 6, 9, described by the company as "celebrating the origins of Jive Bunny while adding a modern twist."
