We're The Banana Splits

One of the greatest things about the music of the 60's is how it accessible it was to just about anyone. The cool kids had the Beatles and the Stones; middle America watched the Monkees; the hippies had the Dead and Jefferson Airplane; even Mom and Dad could swing to a homogenized version of Lennon & McCartney done up by Enoch Light or Tony Bennett. And for the toddlers, there were these weirdos, the Banana Splits.

I was suprised at how good some of the songs on this hard to find LP are (thanks to my friend Gary who let me borrow his copy). I'm not saying the Banana Splits were the next Beatles, but compared to the kind of music they make for kids today (the Barney theme comes to mind) this stuff kicks ass. Let's hear it for Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork!

Joseph Gallant (notquite@hotmail.com) says:
To answer Greg Bower: The Banana Splits were featured in a 1968-70 Hanna-Barbera (featuring both live-action segments of the "Splits"--actually actors in costume--and cartoon
segments) that aired Saturday mornings on NBC and was sponsored by Kellogg's, hence the fact they issued a promotional record.

"The Tra-La-La Song" was the opening theme music of the TV show, and the show had an opening sequence of the Splits in an amusement park (it's my guess the opening was filmed at Kings Island near Cincinatti as I think it was then under the same ownership--Taft Broadcasting--as Hanna-Barbera was at the time the show premiered). (10-01-2001)

Greg Bower (gbower@newmmi.com) says:
I have a 1969 Banana Splits 45, which has 2 songs on each side. The sleeve is very colorful, with the group on the front, and words to the 4 songs on the flip side.

This is a Kellogs promotional record, and it has the red "Kellogs" logo on the record & sleeve.

Would anyone care to comment on its worth? Thanks in advance.

Greg Bower

(09-25-2001)

becky (office@anastasi.org) says:
Never Mind about the names. I just found out. Thanks any way. (09-24-2001)

becky (office@anastasi.org) says:
what are the names of each bananna splits character? (09-24-2001)

Beaky Buzzard (Beaky_Buzzard@HotMail.Com) says:
I can't believe this. I have hummed that theme song "Tra La La..." for eons. Even at work, nobody has any idea what I am humming. A few months ago, I was humming it while working on a laptop for a guy from Brazil. He knew exactly what it was. I guess they were really far reaching. hahaha (09-21-2001)

Myra (UK) (myra@fuller56.fsnet.co.uk) says:
The Splits were fun, crazy and way ahead of any kids programme in England in 1969! Can anyone tell me where I can get hold of a video of even one episode? I was 9 years old when they hit the UK screens. Remember the Sour Grapes Bunch? And which Split had his own letters page??
Great memories..... (08-28-2001)

Craig C. (cfc_can@yahoo.com) says:
Does anyone know how I can order the soundtrack album? By the way, in case you didn't know, one of the voices of the banana Splits was vocied by ALlen melvin (Sam the Butcher on The Brady Bunch and Barney Heffner on All in the Family!) (08-16-2001)

ac says:
HEY!! I HAD THEIR 2 7" SINGLES!! (jus' thought you'd like ta know...) (08-10-2001)

Jimmy Wood (hunting buffalo@yahoo.com) says:
I wanna share with all of the other Banana Splits Fans young and old alike out there, Iwas 17 when the 1st appeared on tv in 1968and was a member of their fan club and hope im still a member now and hope they know im still a Big Fan of theirs still as of this year and time .The (08-02-2001)

Bananagrogans says:
The absolute best childhood memory EVER !
Wrapped in the golden light that surrounds all precious chilhood memories that will forever be linked with perfect, CAptain Crunch fueled happiness (07-25-2001)

Ernie Clark (clarke@iserv.net) says:
Why can't us Banana Splits freaks find out who the actual singers on the Decca label stuff? I'm almost 100% sure one of the vocalists is Mark Barken. I heard this other project he sang in
and the voice sounded just like the one that
sings the "Tra La La Song". Whoever sang "Doin'
The Banana Split", "Soul", and "You're The Lovin'
End" was one hell of a soul singer! I wonder if he
ever put out any records under his own name? I
believe the Banana Splits material will come out
officially on cd in the near future. I hope they
include the song "Our Little Show" which was featured in the show but not on record. (07-15-2001)

Donna (dlenoci@mediaone.net) says:
I was hoping to be able to play some of the songs for my son from the Banana Spit Show but when I clicked on the song a window came up saying that it was not a real audio file. Can anyone tell me what I need to do in order to listen to the songs? I love the Banana Split Gang!

One banana, two banana.......... (05-20-2001)

Rojomo (honestrodge@hotmail.com) says:
Hey Guys, Anyone know where I can get any Banana Splits memorabilia in th UK/European region of the world. It's virtually impossiblr to track this stuff down over here - or even if there's any kind Americams who wish to part with their collections, send me a note. (09-14-2000)

Captain Video says:
Someone else noted that the Tra la la song sounds like a bob Marley tune. Well, IT IS the same. "Buffalo Soldiers" you know- dread like rasta..... The break in Buffalo soldier is the same as the Banana Splits. What I want to know is: What the hell was Bob Marley doing watching the Banana Splits early Saturday morning??? Talk about Ganga spliff.... HW (09-12-2000)

"Megatoonathonic 2000" says:
Kenny, I am still looking for that "Cattanooga Cats" album. Every month I travel to the Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo here in Lancaster, and none of the dealers have that album. Hopefully, one of these months, I'll finally get that album. Or hopefully even Rhino will release it on CD and Digitally remastered cassette. I'm hoping. (09-11-2000)

Guest says:
splits are do ing road show in england (08-19-2000)

Call To Arms! says:
If you want to see The Banana Splits again on TV, PLEASE send email to Steve at Nick-At-Night/TV Land. The address is Postmaster@tvland.com Tell him you want to see The Banana Splits back on the air! Tell him about the millions of boomers who are eager to see that show! Lets get Fleegle and the gang on TV again!!! (08-07-2000)

The Fleegmeister says:
Anyone who wants the "We're The Banana Splits" on CD (or a likely bootleg of it) can go to this address: http://www.delerium.co.uk/acatalog/Freak_Emporium_Banana_Splits____The_Beagles__2122.html I found it for 13.50 GBP... ~ $20.25US (08-07-2000)

Morgan!!!!! Moooorrrrgaaannn!! (wayshwing@netzero.net) says:
I loved the Splits as a kid growing up in the early 70's man! Is there ANYONE out there who can steer me towards some kind of MP3 copies of the songs from the Banana Splits album? I gotta hear those songs again! (08-07-2000)

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