The 1910 Fruitgum Company began life as Jeckell and The Hydes in New Jersey in 1965.
They signed to Buddah Records in 1967 and – working with legendary producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz – released five LPs under their own name (plus a number of singles) as well as appearing on the LP The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, which was promoted as a “bubblegum superjam”.
Their first hit single, Simon Says (January 1968), reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #2 on the UK Singles Chart. The record sold over three million copies globally.
Subsequent hits included 1, 2, 3, Red Light (July 1968), Goody, Goody Gumdrops (October 1968) and Indian Giver (January 1969).
Like many bubblegum acts of the era, anonymous studio session musicians and seasoned session singers like Joey Levine – who had also featured as the vocalist for Ohio Express – were brought in by the producers to craft a seamless, ultra-polished radio sound (although the actual band members played and sang on many tracks).
The original group disbanded in 1970.
The band was briefly resurrected in 1979/1980 with members Chuck Allen, Fred Eyer, Tony DiNiso, Cindy Tritz and Mike Schneider.
Mark Gutkowski Vocals, organ Frank Jeckell Guitar Pat “Scaramouche Quackenbush” Karwan
Guitar, vocals Steve Mortkowitz
Bass, vocals Floyd Marcus
Drums, vocals Mick Mansueto
Vocals Jerry Roth
Saxophone Bob Brescia
Keyboards, vocals Mike Edell
Keyboards, vocals John Korba
Guitar, vocals Ralph Cohen (Douglas)
Trumpet Pat Soriano
Organ, vocals Bruce Shay
Bass, vocals Rusty Oppenheimer
Drums, vocals Larry Ripley
Bass, woodwind, vocals Chuck Travis
Guitar, vocals Richie Gomez
Guitar, vocals
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They signed to Buddah Records in 1967 and – working with legendary producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz – released five LPs under their own name (plus a number of singles) as well as appearing on the LP The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, which was promoted as a “bubblegum superjam”.
Their first hit single, Simon Says (January 1968), reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #2 on the UK Singles Chart. The record sold over three million copies globally.
