It’s time for those of us who claim the music from the Sixties was the best ever to acknowledge there was a part of that magical decade that failed to live up to that standard.
I’m talking about Bubblegum Music, a term seized upon and exploited by Buddah Records label executive Neil Bogart. The music was never intended to become a national phenomenon. Noted music historian Bill Pitzonka says, “It was the perfect antidote to everything that was going on in the late 1960s.”
It was aimed squarely at young teenagers but became so popular with older teens that “groups” – in many cases nothing more than studio musicians – were springing up everywhere. For example Ron Dante became the “lead singer” for The Archies and The Cuff Links, and Joey Levine fronted The Ohio Express as well as three other bubblegum groups.
The bubblegum craze lasted from 1966 until the early 1970s when it was pushed aside for another fad for which Neil Bogart can also be blamed … Disco.
Memories … That’s What We’re All About
Play buttons are on the left … Volume sliders are on the right
Bubblegum Music
1910 Fruitgum Company – Crazy Elephant
Archies – Ohio Express – Sweet
Tommy James & The Shondells – Cuff Links
Lemon Pipers
Rock And Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Co.
Well this was certainly entertaining! I don’t think I have heard very many of the songs for a long time. I do have sugar sugar on iTunes from long ago. But the green tambourine, and yummy yummy yummy!! Wow. We loved these songs, right? This was fun, and I did enjoy it! I am marveling at the fact, that this was part of our every day listening back in the day. Wow! Thanks Ray, for the great reminder. You’re the best! Be🥰
Thank you, Sandy 🥰 There may be a very good reason people haven’t heard these songs for a long time. 🤣 They certainly stuck out when compared to the “regular” music that was being played but I will admit they were harmless and fun. 🙂
Ray did you chew some of that Fruitgum??? I’m checking my meds Ray now I’m putting my hands on my head!! And I swear I just saw a Crazy Elephant!! I’ve never seen an elephant asking for some good lovin’!! Now I want some surgar and I’m calling Nancy my Candy Girl!! Oh my Ray now I’ve got a Yummy Yummy in my tummy! I feel like I’m on the Ohio Express. And who the heck is Willy Willy he just won’t go home!! I think he wants some honey!! Now I’m running as fast as I can why am I’m trying to be alone all I can hear is my heartbeat!! Now the Shondells want me to go with them! Ray I don’t remember a Tracey so I’m going to let her go!! Ray I remember how you would play your green Tambourine and for the life of me I don’t know how you kept those cuff links on(that’s talent)!! And how you could eat those Lemon Pipers!! You’d always ask for more and because Simon said give me more!! Now I’m on my way to the store to get me some Bubble Gum!! Simon says never stop these Memory Medleys!! love ya (and remember take your bubble gum out before bed!!)
Fred, thank you for causing me to spit out the water I was drinking when I read your commentary. 🤣 Your sense of humor is so wonderful! For the record, I always put my gum on the bedpost overnight (but it does lose its flavor) 🙂
Rock On and remember … I love ya!
This was a gold mine for you, Fred! Those Lemon Pipers sure are sweet and I Hope Ray listens to Simon!
I always listen to Simon. 😉
Sugar Sugar was palatable
Think We’re Alone now was good enough to be covered by others…
The rest, what can I say?
Sugar Sugar made me cringe. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy was a favorite of my youngest grandson when he was five.
As for the rest, I agree with you!
Ray, I thought I was crazy back in the day looking for some serious message from these songs. Glad I wasn’t crazy, but they do evoke some darn nice memories! Thanks, as always, for the music.
A faithful listener fan!
Pete
Thanks, Pete. I’m afraid the only message was “lets see how much of this stuff the public can take!” But in the end they were harmless songs with a good beat. And they DO evoke nice memories of a much more simple time. 🙂
It’s fun to hear some silly songs once in a while. I knew Fred would have a field day with these!!
Thanks, Pat. 🥰 I thought it would be a nice change of pace, and yes, Fred had a very good time with them. 🙂
I see that sugar sugar makes you cringe BUT it is my favorite of the list. Reason being, brings back memories of watching the “Archies” when I was a kid … LOL Little Willie has a good beat then we need to run as fast as we can!! 🙂 I like most of them but a couple I don’t remember .. oh well!
Thanks, Penny 🥰
Sugar Sugar made me cringe because it was played over and over (and over) on the radio … and I was 19 so I was listening to Abbey Road and Led Zeppelin II. But you were very young so I get the attraction. 🙂