The Musical Stylings of Hanna-Barbera’s “The Banana Splits”
A couple of money quotes:
It always seemed odd that the Splits segments were zany (sometimes to the point of the four costumed characters just bumping into each other and falling down), while the segments were so dour and, for the most part, serious (at least to a kid). The song segments were filmed “romps” in the style of The Monkees, many filmed at King’s Island theme park, which featured a Hanna-Barbera Land.
(Erratum: It was actually Coney Island in Cincinnati, later recast as Old Coney. Kings Island did not open until 1971, whence Coney Island closed, but it’s worth knowing that the live-action segments for the otherwise animated ABC Saturday Superstar Movie presentation The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park [1972] were filmed at Kings Island.)
And, with regards to the related records (in particular the LP “We’re The Banana Splits,” released on the Decca [now MCA] label in 1968):
This is a more “adult” pop record than the two above EP’s, in that the songs tend to lean toward harder pop and more driving R&B sounds. The most juvenile numbers are the title song (which was to be the theme), and “The Tra-La-La Song”, which became the theme. Frequent Archies songwriter Ritchie Adams co-wrote both songs, and with Mark Barkan, also wrote the original theme to Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? the following year.
Both the album and the EPs benefitted from quite a few music industry movers and shakers between these grooves. As Wikipedia notes (and I have verified):
“The Banana Splits’ bubblegum pop rock and roll was provided by studio professionals, including Joey Levine (“I Enjoy Being a Boy”, “It’s a Good Day for a Parade”); Al Kooper (“You’re the Lovin’ End”); Barry White (“Doin’ the Banana Split”); Gene Pitney (“Two Ton Tessie”) and Jimmy Radcliffe provided his songs (“I’m Gonna Find a Cave”, “Soul”, “Don’t Go Away Go-Go Girl”, “Adam Had ‘Em” and “The Show Must Go On”) but did not contribute vocals to Splits recordings. The music director was music publisher Aaron Schroeder, while production duties were mainly handled by David Mook. When a heavier R&B vocal was needed, the music producers usually turned to singer Ricky Lancelotti, who was billed in the show credits under his stage name Rick Lancelot. Lancelotti went on to record several songs with Frank Zappa.”
Among Al Kooper’s accomplishments was putting together the band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, as well as movie scores. Barry White, of course, became a big recording star with a signature sultry, romantic murmur over his music. Gene Pitney is now considered a legendary pop singer, with such hits as “Town Without Pity” and compositions like like “Hello, Mary Lou.” Hanna-Barbera didn’t commission the music carelessly; they brought in the best. Generating hit songs was a big priority for any potential hit entertainment property, much as it is now. Maybe things didn’t go the distance this case, but those involved gave it their best—if wildly eclectic—try.
Also worth noting is this caveat from the comments section therefor, written by one “Eric Graf” and directed at such who may be looking for CD versions of at least the album:
A caution to collectors – Lousy-quality counterfeit copies of all these records are very common. Be very cautious if anyone offers to sell you a “new unplayed” copy.
All genuine copies of the LP have a Decca logo on the lower right corner of the front cover. The ones with no cover logo (plus a white “promo” label on the record itself) are fakes. I got burned by this one. The sound quality of the fake is noticeably inferior, and the speed is off (too fast).
The bogus 45s have no company logos or credits on the labels.
Genuine copies of the 45s are common and can be had for cheap. The LP? Notsomuch.
Oh, and as reminder for you fans of fanfiction such as is featured on this blog: The Banana Splits do happen to be represented rather well here, as in a mashup with the Old-Time Radio comedy Duffy’s Tavern … a “Postcard from Snagglepuss” as imagined them playing the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD … and, in coming weeks, look for them turning up at Snaggletooth’s retreat on East Lake Okoboji, in a “battle of the bands” with their Saturday-morning animated rivals the Cattanooga Cats (itself a mashup with the Old-Time Radio newspaper drama Night Beat), and with Crazy Claws, that Hanna-Barberian ambassador for Wisconsin Dells, explaining the time they appeared in The Waterpark Capital of the World (and managed to pull off a jam session to end all jam sessions). As well, Bingo showed up on a previous Moth Monday, and look for Drooper I(in behalf of Snorky) to take his turn there later this fall.
Stay. Tuned.