The man behind the novelty pop act Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers has died aged 84, the company he founded has confirmed.

John Pickles formed Jive Bunny in Rotherham in 1989 and the act went on to have three UK number ones with Swing The Mood, That’s What I Like and Let’s Party.

Jive Bunny records typically used synthesisers and sampling to combine contemporary pop music with hits from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

A statement from the Mastermix company described Pickles as “a true pioneer in the music industry”, adding that he was “a leader, an entrepreneur, a businessman and an incredibly talented songwriter”.

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,” the statement said.

Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers were made up of Pickles, his son Andrew, who also worked as a director for Mastermix, along with Doncaster DJ and producer Les Hemstock.

The group also had a UK top 10 album in Jive Bunny The Album and scored five UK top 10 hits, including their number ones.

The Jive Bunny album covers and music videos featured a cartoon rabbit, with costumed actors also making promotional appearances as the character.

Steve White, a DJ who knew Pickles personally, told BBC Radio Sheffield the group’s chart success had been “a people’s success story”.

“It was something that the family could enjoy,” White said.

In December 2024, Mastermix released a new Jive Bunny production called 3, 6, 9.

It was said by the company to be “celebrating the origins of Jive Bunny while adding a modern twist”.

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