1910 Fruitgum Company
Encyclopedia
The 1910 Fruitgum Company (often shortened to 1910 Fruitgum Co.) is an American bubblegum pop
band
of the 1960s. The group's biggest hits included "Simon Says
," "1, 2, 3, Red Light
," "May I Take A Giant Step," "Special Delivery," "Goody Goody Gumdrops," and "Indian Giver
." Guitarist Frank Jeckell claimed to have adopted the name from a candy wrapper that he found in his attic.
in 1965. The original founding members were Frank Jeckell, additional members were Floyd Marcus, Pat Karwan, Steve Mortkowitz, and Mark Gutkowski all from Linden, New Jersey.
During 1967, the band was signed to record label
Buddah Records
, where they released five LPs
under their own name and a variety of singles
, as well as appearing on the LP The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, which sounded like the usual Buddha studio
band in spite of its promotion as a "bubblegum superjam". Their first successful single
, "Simon Says", was written by Elliot Chiprut, but Jeckell persuaded the band to record it. During the process they changed the beat and patterned the song after "Wooly Bully
" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. "Simon Says" soon became a success, scoring a maximum of #4 in the US
Billboard
Hot 100
chart
. The track peaked at #2 in the UK Singles Chart
. The record
sold over three million copies globally, earning gold disc
status. It was heard in the 1968 Frederick Wiseman
documentary High School.
The band started touring, opening for major acts such as The Beach Boys
. They followed on to release the hits "1, 2, 3, Red Light
" (U.S. #5), "Indian Giver
" (U.S. #5), "Goody, Goody Gumdrops" and "May I Take a Giant Step."
Early during the 21st century, originator Frank Jeckell and Mick Mansuetto put the act back together which included Floyd Marcus, original drummer along with a few musicians and started touring again. They performed a concert on November 17, 2007 at the Caravan of Stars XIV, in Henderson, Tennessee
. Also appearing at the show were Dickey Lee
, Jimmy Gilmer, Carol Conners (of The Teddy Bears), Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, Jim Yester (of The Association
), Jerry Yester (of The Lovin' Spoonful
), Eddie Brigati (of The Young Rascals), and Dennis Tufano (of The Buckinghams
).
.
singles and Billboard Hot 200 chart
LP positions quoted:-
Bubblegum pop
Bubblegum pop is a genre of pop music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers, produced in an assembly-line process, driven by producers, often using unknown singers.Bubblegum's classic period ran from 1967 to 1972...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
of the 1960s. The group's biggest hits included "Simon Says
Simon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)
"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song, written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded by the 1910 Fruitgum Company in 1967.The song was based on the children's game "Simon says." Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Steve Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot...
," "1, 2, 3, Red Light
1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)
"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968...
," "May I Take A Giant Step," "Special Delivery," "Goody Goody Gumdrops," and "Indian Giver
Indian Giver (song)
"Indian Giver" is a song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1969 album, Indian Giver. The song went to #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and was on the charts for 13 weeks....
." Guitarist Frank Jeckell claimed to have adopted the name from a candy wrapper that he found in his attic.
Career
The band began as Jeckell and The Hydes in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in 1965. The original founding members were Frank Jeckell, additional members were Floyd Marcus, Pat Karwan, Steve Mortkowitz, and Mark Gutkowski all from Linden, New Jersey.
During 1967, the band was signed to record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Buddah Records
Buddah Records
Buddah Records was founded in 1967 in New York City. The label was born out of Kama Sutra Records, an MGM Records-distributed label, which remained a key imprint following Buddah's founding...
, where they released five LPs
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
under their own name and a variety of singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, as well as appearing on the LP The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, which sounded like the usual Buddha studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
band in spite of its promotion as a "bubblegum superjam". Their first successful single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Simon Says", was written by Elliot Chiprut, but Jeckell persuaded the band to record it. During the process they changed the beat and patterned the song after "Wooly Bully
Wooly Bully
"Wooly Bully" is a popular song originally recorded by novelty rock 'n' roll band Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in 1965. Based on a standard 12-bar blues progression, it was written by the band's leader, Domingo "Sam" Samudio. It was released as a single on the Memphis-based Pen label and...
" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. "Simon Says" soon became a success, scoring a maximum of #4 in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
. The track peaked at #2 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
sold over three million copies globally, earning gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
status. It was heard in the 1968 Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman is an American documentary filmmaker. He came to documentary filmmaking after first being trained as a lawyer...
documentary High School.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
. They followed on to release the hits "1, 2, 3, Red Light
1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)
"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968...
" (U.S. #5), "Indian Giver
Indian Giver (song)
"Indian Giver" is a song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1969 album, Indian Giver. The song went to #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and was on the charts for 13 weeks....
" (U.S. #5), "Goody, Goody Gumdrops" and "May I Take a Giant Step."
Henderson, Tennessee
Henderson is an incorporated city in Chester County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 5,670 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chester County...
. Also appearing at the show were Dickey Lee
Dickey Lee
Royden Dickey Lipscomb , known professionally as Dickey Lee , is an American pop/country singer and songwriter, best known for the 1960s teenage tragedy songs "Patches" and "Laurie ."-Career:Lee made his first recordings in his hometown of Memphis for Tampa...
, Jimmy Gilmer, Carol Conners (of The Teddy Bears), Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, Jim Yester (of The Association
The Association
The Association is a pop music band from California in the folk rock or soft rock genre. During the 1960s, they had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival...
), Jerry Yester (of The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful is an American pop rock band of the 1960s, named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. When asked about his band, leader John Sebastian said it sounded like a combination of "Mississippi John Hurt and Chuck Berry," prompting his friend, Fritz Richmond, to suggest the name...
), Eddie Brigati (of The Young Rascals), and Dennis Tufano (of The Buckinghams
The Buckinghams
The Buckinghams are an American Sunshine Pop band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in 1966 and went on to become one of the top selling acts of 1967. The band dissolved in 1970 but reformed in 1980 and continue to tour throughout the United States....
).
Million sellers
Their recordings of "Simon Says" sold three and a half million; plus "Indian Giver" and "1, 2, 3, Red Light" both sold over one million copies; and were all awarded gold discsMusic recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
Current lineup
- Frank Jeckell
- Mick Mansueto
- Glenn Lewis
- Bob Brescia
- Oscar Dominguez
- Keith Crane
Former members
- Mick Mansueto
- Bruce Shay
- Mike Ilnicki
- Michael Stoppiello
- Curtis Gashlin
- Rusty Oppenheimer
- Larry Ripley
- Chuck Travis
- Randy Monaco
- Oscar Dominguez
- Dennis Kubala
- Rich Gomez
- Stephen Young
- David Turinsky
- James Camando
- Mike LaVolpe
- Glenn Lewis
- Mike Edell
- Phil Thorstenson
- Charles Tedesco
Discography
This is a partial list, with Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles and Billboard Hot 200 chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
LP positions quoted:-
Singles
- "Simon SaysSimon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song, written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded by the 1910 Fruitgum Company in 1967.The song was based on the children's game "Simon says." Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Steve Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot...
" (#4) / "Reflections From The Looking Glass" - Buddha 24 - 1/68 - "May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart)" (#63) / "(Poor Old) Mr. Jensen" - Buddha 39 - 4/68
- "1, 2, 3, Red Light1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968...
" (#5) / "Sticky Sticky" - Buddha 54 - 7/68 - "Goody Goody Gumdrops" (#37) / "Candy Kisses" - Buddha 71 - 10/68
-
- B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
is an instrumentalInstrumentalAn instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
jam, recorded backwards- "Indian GiverIndian Giver (song)"Indian Giver" is a song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1969 album, Indian Giver. The song went to #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and was on the charts for 13 weeks....
" (#5) / "Pow Wow" - Buddha 91 - 1/69
- "Indian Giver
- B-side is an ode to "Howdy Doody" recorded backwards, originally recorded by The Flying Giraffe (another Kasenetz-Katz produced group) on Bell Records
- "Special Delivery" (#38) / "No Good Annie" - Buddha 114 - 5/69
- "The Train" (#57) / "Eternal Light" - Buddha 130 - 8/69
- "When We Get Married" (#118) / "Baby Bret" - Buddha 146 - 11/69
- "Lawdy, Lawdy" / "The Clock" - Attack 10293 - 1970
- "Go Away" / "The Track" - Super K 115 - 1970
- B-side
Albums
- Simon SaysSimon Says (album)Simon Says is the first album by American bubblegum pop group the 1910 Fruitgum Company on the Buddah Records label. Released in 1968, it included two songs that appeared on the Billboard Top 100—the most from any of the group's albums—although it was not their highest-charting album...
(#162) - Buddha BDM-1010 (Mono - promotional release only) / BDS-5010 (Stereo) - 4/68
-
- "Pop Goes The Weasel"
- "Keep Your Thoughts On The Bright Side"
- "Magic Windmill"
- "The Year 2001"
- "Soul Struttin'"
- "Simon SaysSimon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song, written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded by the 1910 Fruitgum Company in 1967.The song was based on the children's game "Simon says." Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Steve Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot...
" - "May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart)"
- "Bubble Gum World"
- "Happy Little Teardrops"
- "The Story Of Flipper"
- "(Poor Old) Mr. Jensen"
- 1, 2, 3, Red Light (#163) - Buddha BDS-5022 - 10/68
- "1, 2, 3, Red Light1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968...
" - "The Song Song"
- "Shirley Applegate"
- "The Mighty Quinn"
- "Yummy, Yummy, YummyYummy Yummy Yummy"Yummy Yummy Yummy" is a bubblegum pop song by Arthur Resnick and Joey Levine, first recorded by Ohio Express in 1968. Their version reached #4 in the U.S. Pop Singles chart and #5 in the UK Singles Chart. It has since been covered by many artists. Ohio Express was a studio concoction and none of...
" - "9, 10, Let's Do It Again"
- "The Book"
- "Sister John"
- "Take Away"
- "Lookin' Back"
- "Blue Eyes and Orange Skies"
- Goody Goody Gumdrops - Buddha BDS-5027 - 1968
- "Goody Goody Gumdrops"
- "Liza"
- "Mr. Cupid"
- "Hot Diggity Dog"
- "Hook Line & Sinker"
- "Dee-Licious"
- "Please Me, Tease Me"
- "(Play Our Song) Mr. Music Man"
- "A, B, C, I Love You"
- "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum"
- "Polly-Wally-Doo-Da-Day"
- Indian GiverIndian Giver (album)Indian Giver, the fourth studio album by American bubblegum pop group the 1910 Fruitgum Company, was released in 1969. The title song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song "Special Delivery" went to #38 on the Billboard Hot 100...
(#147) - Buddha BDS-5036 - 4/69
- Indian Giver
- "Indian GiverIndian Giver (song)"Indian Giver" is a song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1969 album, Indian Giver. The song went to #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and was on the charts for 13 weeks....
" - "No Good Annie"
- "I've Got To Have Your Love"
- "Good Good Lovin'"
- "Candy"
- "Special Delivery"
- "Game Of Love"
- "Let's Make Love"
- "Groovy, Groovy"
- "Sweet Lovin'"
- "1910 Cotton Candy Castle"
- Hard Ride - Buddha BDS-5043 - 1969
- "Don't Have To Run And Hide"
- "All These Things"
- "Begger's Epitath"
- "Eulogy/Selub"
- "The Train"
- "Creations Of Simon"
- "Collections Of Thoughts"
- "In The Beginning/The Thing"
- "Togetherly Alone (5 Movements)"
Compilation albums
- Juiciest Fruitgum - Buddha BDS-5057 - 1970
-
- "When We Get Married"
- "Indian GiverIndian Giver (song)"Indian Giver" is a song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1969 album, Indian Giver. The song went to #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and was on the charts for 13 weeks....
" - "Special Delivery"
- "The Train"
- "The Mighty Quinn"
- "Simon SaysSimon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song, written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded by the 1910 Fruitgum Company in 1967.The song was based on the children's game "Simon says." Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Steve Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot...
" - "1, 2, 3, Red Light1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968...
" - "May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart)"
- "Goody Goody Gumdrops"
- "1910 Cotton Candy Castle"
- The Best Of The 1910 Fruitgum Company - Buddha 99799 - 2001
- "Simon SaysSimon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song, written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded by the 1910 Fruitgum Company in 1967.The song was based on the children's game "Simon says." Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Steve Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot...
" - "May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart)"
- "Please Me, Tease Me"
- "Sweet Lovin'"
- "(Play Our Song) Mr. Music Man"
- "1, 2, 3, Red Light1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968...
" - "Candy"
- "Liza"
- "Indian GiverIndian Giver (song)"Indian Giver" is a song written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, and Bo Gentry and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1969 album, Indian Giver. The song went to #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and was on the charts for 13 weeks....
" - "Dee-Licious"
- "1910 Cotton Candy Castle"
- "Bubble Gum World"
- "Special Delivery"
- "Goody Goody Gumdrops"
- "The Train"
- "Reflections From The Looking Glass"