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From: djhot1
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  • Letting all fans know. the following is from a New Jersey paper. " The group produced three gold records, starting in 1968 with the first single release "Simon Says," "1-2-3 Red Light" and "Indian Giver." The 1910 Fruitgum Company was reunited in 2001 by the originators of the group, Frank Jeckell, and Mick Mansueto."

    Mansueto is not an originator of the group. You can use your imagination as to why this has been added to the band bio.

    Sincerely,

    F Marcus (Original drummer and member)

  • HEAR HEAR

  • Simon talks too much

  • anyone heard thier song stickysticky? my dad played with them as a studio musician and was on that song.

  • just curious if anybody knows who is performing as the 1910 Fruitgum Co. today ?? They are appearing at the Grape Jamboree in Geneva Ohio next weekend. Thanks John

  • I Love this song so much! I also luv 123 red light! Im getting a cd today! X) I ccant wait!

  • I realize I've crunched things a bit, but I wanted to make sure I put out the meat and potatoes. The Jeckell & Hyde I just found out was Jeckell & The Hydes.

  • I , Pat, Steve, Mark and Jeckell formed Jeckell and the Hydes which became The Odyssey.

    The Trade Winds had a song called "Little Susan's Dream (LSD)" and had Jimmy Calvert in them. They did record some tracks for Super K.

    Pat is Pat Karwin and lives in Toms River now.

  • Continued. The company was Kaznitz & Katz for Super K. There was also a Larry Ripley descendant to Ripley's believe it or not. On horns. Frank Jeckel rhythm guitar, Pat Corwin Lead guitar. Michael remembers being involved with the recording the Train song.

  • xoxoxoxo you rock!~

  • There were two main drummers. When I (Floyd Marcus original member) left, the band was already into it's second year and 4th release. After me, Rusty Oppenheimer came in. Unfortunately, there have been many claims by many people who have said they've played with our or other bands to have their 15 minutes of fame. Unfortunately they may have

    sat in, or played with a "illegitimate" version of a band. Sorry! Never heard of him.

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  • Okay I have more info. Mark Gutkowski singer & keyboard player would remember My friend Mike Ilnicki who came in after Floyd Marcus, Mike also knew Ted Gutkowski Mark's brother.... Rusty Openheimer replaced my friend Mike on the drums. The studio musicians were called the Trade winds and recording was done at Alegro Studios.

    The band first was called Jeckel & Hyde from Frank Jeckel rhtm. gtr.

  • When I left the group, Jeff Katz asked If i would come in and record with the band on the next album. The drummer taking my place was Rusty. There was no time between my leaving and when Rusty came in. If there was a Mike llnicki he was either there a very very short time between me and Rusty, or he came in at the end when they added the horns. "The train" was at the very end and not a hit.

  • @djhot1 Whatever happened to Mark? Where is he and what is he doing? Are there any bad feelings between him and the rest of you?

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  • Sorry, Never heard of him! Never saw him listed in any bios.

  • When was Jim Casazza the drummer?

  • Sorry. Facts are wrong. I'm the original drummer, Floyd Marcus. First, Jeckell did not persuade the band to do the song. The band had a 'word of mouth ' deal with the producers which essentially said, we'll do your material if we can record our own B sides. This was squelched by Buddha's pres., Neil Bogart. It was I who sarcastically suggested we do the song like "Wooly Bully" since it originally had a calypso flavor.

  • By any chance do you know Dennis Kubala if you are Floyd?

  • I am Floyd, and no I never met most of the guys that were in after I left (and there are people everywhere that say they played for the band). I went in the studio when Rusty was coming in because Jeff asked me if I wanted to play on certain tracks. I knew Bruce, Jerry Roth, and some other guys because they came from the area.

  • 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 U.S. charts. It is memorably heard in the 1968 Frederick Wiseman documentary High School.

  • Have no idea what you are asking

  • Is the band still making appearances,any chance they may come to Miami?Does Mark in the Jersey piano store ever communicate with the fans?What a great audience !

  • and BTW,which one of you does the sexy blonde

    in the front row belong to?LOL

  • this is one of my all time favorite songs. is

    the guy singing lead the original guy?if not,

    where is he ?

  • Of the original 5 members, only Steve Mortkowitz has passed away. Frank is still touring with the current version of the band (reformed in 2001), Pat plays solo gigs at the Jersey Shore, Mark sells pianos in north Jersey, and I (Floyd) left the current version in January of this year and play in a duo at the southern NJ shore.

  • Was Mark the lead singer in the original group? Steve M. ? which instument? you guys actuelly sound just as good!

  • This song was one of my faves back then. Thanks for posting, it brought back some great memories.

  • what's the name of the three guys being interviewed? Is the one in the blue shirt the blonde tambourine player from 123 red light?

  • The 2 guys in the front are Frank Jeckell and Floyd Marcus (me), 2 of the 5 original members from Linden, NJ. I am the original drummer. The person you are referring to was added to the band after Steve Mortkowitz and I had left the band - approx. 1969.

  • oh my gosh....how fun!  its great to see all those older people who were the kids of the 60's...just like me!

  • You tell um Floyd!!! I love bubblegum .Been listening since I was 10 and going on 50. And I will listen to it another 40 years!!! This shit now days sucks.

  • You're entitled to your opinnion, but it initially sold 3 million and many more since 1968. Besides, if this is all you have to do with you time, you must be a very lonely and sad individual.

  • I saw this band in Manlius NY in the 60's. I just loved it. It was such fun back then. Thanks for the memories guys. You still put a smile on my face. I didn't care for Dillon back then...

  • Floyd beating those drums,Frank on lead guitar,and Mark on the Vox Super Continental great sound just "awsome."

    THANX

    SAL

  • To All Fans, Don't forget to get a copy of our new Christmas

    Cd "Bubblegum Christmas".

    Thanks,

    Floyd 1910

  • I wish someone would post that 1968 clip with all the people on the street playing simon says in its entirety.

  • Hi All, Check out The 1910 Fruitgum Company's music-Myspace to preview the cover and songs from their newest album release "Bubblegum Christmas" on Collectables Nov.27th.

    Floyd 1910

  • Electric Prunes

    Lemon Pipers

    Moby Grapes

    Strawberry Alarmclocks

    Anymore fruits out there ?

    Just kidding guys,I'm a simple mind

  • I really liked this band as a teenager and I still do as an old geezer.

  • Its great to see the guys still going strong

  • Peter, Thank you and back at you.I love your band. You are rock legends. People.....presenting the ONE the ONLY Peter Criss.

  • why thank you very much,

    Take Care,

    Peter

  • I use to see Bruce Shea back in the 70's when he was in FARM on the Jersey shore

  • To all fans:Some new clips and special announcements are coming very soon. Spread the word.

    Floyd 1910

  • Floyd:

    Thanks for all the great memories.

    My wife and I still know to this day where we were and what we were doing the first time 1,2,3 Redlight came out.

    I enjoy the "Companys" music to this day.

    Pete in CT

  • Many "postpunk" bands such as PIL,Joy Division,Gang of Four that came out in the same period as new wave were influenced by prog rock. Grunge was a reaction against against glam metal that hit big in the latter half of the '80's such as Motley Crew not all heavy metal. Glam metal was a reaction supposedly against new wave. But everybody secretly or not loves bubblegum.

  • I agree with glam and punk. Totally disagree with progressive. Punk and New Wave were a reaction against progressive bands like Pink Floyd,ELP etc Against those 12 minute singles and concept albums against the idea that rock musicians should play classical music. The riffs beginning of the Cars "Just What I needed" is stolen from the Ohio Express. Joey Ramone named himself after Joey Levine and bubblegum influenced such glam acts as Suzi Quatro

  • If you really "study" songs (I've done this learning to write), there are many examples of conscious and unconscious "rip-offs". The C maj descension in "If you could read my mind" and "Born to Run". Pop music is often re-packaged. Different social parameters dictate content but all forms seem to reinvent themselves. Bubblegum always existed. look for the constant examples.

    Floyd 1910

  • Absolutely correct

  • I was a great fan of your group in the 60s when I was 11 and 12. The music was fun, happy and refreshing....the only thing that is not true...at 50 years old today....none of your fans wear depends..we are middle age and in our prime of life. I enjoy dancing to your music. It is upbeat and uplifting......great exercise and a great way to lose weight while dancing to the great music, we sure do not need diapers. who is single in your group?

  • Many New Wave bands cited Pink Floyd as one of their biggest influences. I question "the reaction against.

    Grunge was supposed to be a reaction against Heavy Metal, however Alice and Chains and Van Halen Toured together??? That would be like the Sex Pistols and Yes touring together.

  • Two Totally unrelated questions

    What do you guys think of the new Disney channel produced bubblegum wave High School Musical, Hannah Montana etc. My 7 year old niece loves it.

    I think bubblegum was influential in 80's new wave. A bouncy beat, colorful hair and clothes, oriented around singles. People who were 10 in '68 were 20 something musicians in '82. Do you agree?

  • Hi, There has always been some form of Bubblegum music. It is usually music that doesn't have a serious social content and mostly bright melodies (not always). Think "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". There's thousands before and after.You are correct,no-matter who creates it.

    Floyd 1910

  • The difference I see between your era bubblegum and the Disney stuff is the lack of hidden sexual content today . As a fifth grader in 1968 the implications of 1 2 3 red light went over mine and most of my contemporaries heads. Unfortunately it would not go over today's kid's heads so I have to agree with Disney here. Where Disney is wrong is in marketing the stuff to girls only. Your music gave boys and girls something common to talk about.

  • Are you on crack???!!!

    New wave morphed out of a combination of Punk Rock and 70's progressive rock and glam rock ie Pink Floyd and David Bowie. New Wave eventually morphed into 90's Grunge. Bubblegum, for what it's worth, died out and didn't branch out into anything. An evolutionary dead end for lack of a better word

  • I can agree with some of what you say. The part about New Wave morphining out of Glam Rock. In the early 70's singers voices were mostly "higher", modeled after "Yes","Kansas". Bowie started using that "lower" register, hence The Cars, etc. The real sound change came from the advancement of sythesizers.

    Floyd 1910

  • You couldnt be more wrong. I am a musician in a band that has released six albums on an indie label. And bands like the 1910 Fruitgum Company are direct influences on the music I write and perform. There are many bands like mine who are direct descendants of lots of different things. Bubblegum being one.

  • Großartige Zeit mit 1910,Ohio Express,Music Explosion usw.Gibt es ein Video von Kasenetz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus?

  • We have not been able to locate some of our videos. Also, some companies will not give us access to what they have. We would like to find copies of our appearance on American Bandstand.

  • The 1910 Fruitgum Company- GREAT THEN, GREAT NOW! I have been a huge fan since 1967. I wish someone would put a video on You Tube when you guys appeared on the Dick Clark Show!

  • We have tried to get a copy of the American Bandstand video but have been told it doesn't exist. I imagine with all the piracy these days Dick Clark's company is just very protective of their property. We'd love to get a copy. Thanks for the inquiry. Floyd 1910

  • If anyone is interested in going to see and hear our ex-lead guitar player Pat Karwan, check out his schedule and music at his myspace site: /patkarwan.

    I saw him last night in Surf City, NJ. He's a great musician/singer/songwriter.

  • DJHOT1: You guys should get credit for influencing Nirvana (seriously). Listen to the guitar solo in Fruitgum's The Book (from the 1,2,3, Red Light album) and then listen to Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box (It's on You Tube). Listen to the guitars but in particular the guitar solo at about 2:42. Clearly Kurt Cobain and the band members appreciated a lot of 60's artists.  I would not be surprised if they had listened to your albums and been influenced.

  • Thank you so very much. I think nirvana is one of the milestone bands of the last twenty years. I believe Kurt was a genius. His vocals projected so much feeling. About "The Book" (my song).

    There was a rumor that Randy California (of Spirit) played the solo.

    Actually Pat Karwan our other guitarist did. He originally played a really incredible solo. Our producers felt it was to complex so the one on the track was the alternate solo.

    Thanks for your question and interest,

  • Hey! I grew up in Garwood NJ!

  • The original members all came from Linden, but I felt good 'ol Garwood was in the area and people who knew us then and newer fans could see us in a more intimate setting. It was a great night.

  • I was in a little band with a guy from Linden way back around 1968. Initials B.S. ( no kidding, those were his initials ) I'm T.P.

    I thnk either my Father or a friend of his sold you guys a van ( Dads initials, B.P., his colleague T.R. ) from either Wallace Chevy or Sullivan Chevy.

  • I checked. Frank is pretty sure he bought the van from Sullivan Chevy. I don't think he remembers who he bought it from, but you're probably correct.

  • Thanks for the reply. I still dig the music and wish everybody well. Having my "formative years" in the 60's was a tough time but I wouldn't trade them for anything.Looking back it was a great period to grow up in.

  • Don't one of you guys work at a casino in A.C.?

    I worked for a casino for 20 years in A.C. and one of my former coworkers said he knew somebody from the band.

  • None of the original members ever worked in a casino. After the first three records were released three, and then two (originals) stayed around during the next couple releases. After that there were guys coming in and out through a revolving door. It could have been one of them. Sorry, don't know.

  • To the fans: If you notice the rating going down keep in mind, there are ex-members out there that don't like the truth being told. They have no other way of showing their angst except to "rate" the real thing. How sad.

  • All the original members were from Linden, N.J.

    Pat came From Tremley Point. I came from Sunnyside.

    We rehearsed mostly at my parents house, but occasionally at Mark's in the High School area.

  • Hey, are you guys from Linden, NJ? I was 11 and my Cuzin Bobby K. says that he went to school with you guys.

  • Oh cheers for that Floyd i will keep my eyes open for that. if you are over in England (Midlands) i will try and get tickets when you get something worked out. i can actually play the tune on keyboard, in the same key as you do too, although the written music is 2 semitones down fro the key you play in

    cheers John

  • when is it going to be re-released here in England then fella's !!

  • We've been working on coming to England for a while now. we've seen a few artcles published in "The Beat" music monthly but nothing solid has been worked out yet. At least two of our singles were released in England, Italy, Spain , Germany and other European countries. Our first two releases will be by Collectables here in the US but accessible on the internet so stay tuned. they include re-recorded versions of our hits.

    Floyd 1910

  • Absolutely superb !

    Any truth in the rumour as to how the band got its name

    apparently from a sweet wrapper in the attic !

  • Hi guy, Chewing gum was produced in the late 1800's believe it or not. Frank was sifting through things to help get a name that would satisfy both management and the band.

  • These guys are supposedly going to be playing at the Cannery Casino in Vegas this August/Sept. I love bubblegum music,it's so much fun!! Other groups will be there to! Should be a blast!!

  • Saw them at the Crossroads - they're awesome! The video is a great mix of music, memories and fun.

  • Had a great time at this show!!

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