1910 Fruitgum Company

1910 Fruitgum Company
Origin Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Bubblegum pop
Years active 1965–1969, 2007–present
Members
Frank Jeckell
Floyd Marcus
Past members
Mark Gutkowski
Steve Mortkowitz
Pat Karwan
Ross Oppenheimer

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.

Contents

Career

The band began as Jeckell and The Hydes in New Jersey 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.[1] The record sold over three million copies globally, earning gold disc status.[2] It was heard in the 1968 Frederick Wiseman documentary High School.

The band started touring, opening for major acts such as The Beach Boys.[3]  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).

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 discs.[4]

Members, past and present

Current lineup

Original group

Former members

Discography

This is a partial list, with Billboard Hot 100 singles and Billboard Hot 200 chart LP positions quoted:-

Singles

B-side is an instrumental jam, recorded backwards
B-side is an ode to "Howdy Doody" recorded backwards, originally recorded by The Flying Giraffe (another Kasenetz-Katz produced group) on Bell Records

Albums

"Pop Goes The Weasel"
"Keep Your Thoughts On The Bright Side"
"Magic Windmill"
"The Year 2001"
"Soul Struttin'"
"Simon Says"
"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"
"The Song Song"
"Shirley Applegate"
"The Mighty Quinn"
"Yummy, Yummy, Yummy"
"9, 10, Let's Do It Again"
"The Book"
"Sister John"
"Take Away"
"Lookin' Back"
"Blue Eyes and Orange Skies"
"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 Giver"
"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"
"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

"When We Get Married"
"Indian Giver"
"Special Delivery"
"The Train"
"The Mighty Quinn"
"Simon Says"
"1, 2, 3, Red Light"
"May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart)"
"Goody Goody Gumdrops"
"1910 Cotton Candy Castle"
"Simon Says"
"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 Light"
"Candy"
"Liza"
"Indian Giver"
"Dee-Licious"
"1910 Cotton Candy Castle"
"Bubble Gum World"
"Special Delivery"
"Goody Goody Gumdrops"
"The Train"
"Reflections From The Looking Glass"

References

  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 395. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 187. CN 5585. 
  3. ^ Floyd Marcus - Songfacts Interviews
  4. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 244 & 264. ISBN 0-214-20512-6. 

External links