# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1910 Fruitgum Company

Simon Says

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.

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 original five members of the 1910 Fruitgum Company circa 1966; photo taken at the home of Floyd Marcus.

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."
The 1910 Fruitgum Company performing live on November 17, 2007

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).
[edit] 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]
[edit] Members, past and present
[edit] Current lineup

Frank Jeckell
Mick Mansueto
Glenn Lewis
Bob Brescia
Oscar Dominguez
Keith Crane

[edit] Original group

Frank Jeckell
Pat Karwan
Mark Gutkowski
Steve Mortkowitz
Floyd Marcus

[edit] 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

 

Tweet