For the first time, the California Raisins were given individual names and characterizations: A.C. Arborman (vocals), his younger brother Beebop Arborman (drums), their cousin Red Raisin (guitar/piano), and their friend Stamford "Stretch" Thompson (bass).
Full Answer
How many California Raisins were they to start with?
How many original California Raisins were there? Subsequently, the original four raisins have been joined by a host of supporting stars, including Ray Charles and a Michael Jackson Raisin, whose rock concert performance came complete with his distinctive silver glove." Dotz values the "Michael" California Raisin, a PVC 4-foot high figure from ...
How many raisins are produced in California?
The California Raisin Industry. On approximately 200,000 acres, the 2,000 California Raisin growers produce 100% of the U.S. raisins, totalling approximately 300,000 tons annually in an area within a 60 mile radius of Fresno, California – known as the central San Joaquin Valley.
How much are the California Raisins figures worth?
Dotz values the “Michael” California Raisin, a PVC 4-foot high figure from the 1980s, at $15. The value is due more to it being a California Raisin collectible than a Michael Jackson collectible. PVC figures of the original raisin characters typically sell for under $3. Did Mcdonalds have California Raisin toys?
Where do California Raisins come from?
Where do California Raisins come from? On approximately 200,000 acres, the 2,000 California Raisin growers produce 100% of the U.S. raisins in an area within a 60 mile radius of Fresno, California – known as the central San Joaquin Valley.
What was the California Raisins name?
Meet the Raisins! VHS cover for the film. For the first time, the California Raisins were given individual names and characterizations: A.C. Arborman (vocals), his younger brother Beebop Arborman (drums), their cousin Red Raisin (guitar/piano), and their friend Stamford "Stretch" Thompson (bass).
How many California Raisin characters are there?
It takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables and focuses on the main characters, the California Raisins: A.C. (vocals), Beebop (drums), Stretch (bass), and Red (guitar/piano). Each episode has one or more musical numbers, all of which were originally performed by most Motown artists.
What were the California Raisins selling?
Who Were the California Raisins? The California Raisins started off as a Sun-Maid commercial in a marketing scheme to improve the sales of raisins. This 30-second tv commercial featured a group of anthropomorphized, claymation raisins dressed to the nines in their suits and bowties.
What are California Raisins food?
California Raisins are dried in the warm California sunshine, and come by their sweetness naturally. This versatile little fruit has many benefits that help to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A serving size of raisins is 40g or a ¼ cup and are fat- and cholesterol-free, and a source of potassium, fibre and iron.
What kind of raisins are sun maid?
The Thompson Seedless grape is the most popular variety used to make raisins, although other grapes, such as Fiesta, Flame and Zante currants are also used.
How old are The California Raisins?
The California Raisins didn't emerge from a popular TV show or a movie or a toy but instead, The Raisins became superstars with a 30 second commercial on September 14, 1986. It all began in the mid-80s when the California Raisin Advisory Board (CALRAB) started to look for a way to make raisins a cool thing to eat.
What happened to the California Raisins?
The last Claymation TV movie about the Raisins came in 1990 (via Mental Floss), and according to Farm Progress, they were officially retired in 1994 — the same year the California Raisin Advisory Board came to an end.
What color are the California Raisins?
A saturated plum purple paint color is perfect for an accent wall color.
Who invented the California Raisins?
Will VintonWill Vinton, filmmaker and animator who created the California Raisins, dies at 70.
Where are California raisins from?
Central San Joaquin ValleyFrom California's Central San Joaquin Valley, raisins are shipped around the world to meet market demands for this tasty, dried fruit.
Are Sun-Maid raisins black raisins?
Copy: Naturally sun-dried raisins made from the Black Corinth grape. Very dark in color and one-third the size of the average seedless raisin. The Zante's tart, tangy flavor makes it popular in baking and confectionery products.
Are raisins from California?
naturally sweet On approximately 150,000 acres, over 1,500 California Raisin growers produce 100% of the U.S. raisins in a 60-mile radius of Fresno California, known as the central San Joaquin Valley.
When did California raisins become popular?
This was also the first time in history that a commercial spawned such a volume of merchandise, and in 1987, the California Raisins’ popularity exploded after Hardee’s created molded Raisins figurines to promote its cinnamon-raisin biscuits.
Who is the creator of California Raisins?
Will Vinton, the creator of The California Raisins.
What is the California Raisins' first commercial?
The California Raisins’ debut advertisement, “Lunchbox”, was ranked number 15 on the list. Ad agency executive Claude Jacques described the Raisins as “The coolest wrinkled musicians this side of the [Rolling] Stones.”.
When was the first raisin commercial made?
He and the artists in his studio designed more than 25 clay raisins — no two looked exactly alike — and spent months animating the first commercial, which aired in 1986. The raisins marched out of a box, singing and dancing in unison along a tabletop like a miniaturized soul group from the ’60s.
Who lent their images to the California Raisins commercial?
pinterest-pin-it. Several music stars, including Ray Charles and Michael Jackson, lent their images to California Raisins commercials, some of which were shown only in movie theaters. “Michael called up and I’m sitting there, having small talk with Michael on the phone,” Vinton told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2009.
Is California raisin a collectible?
A slew of merchandise centered around the California Raisins became popular with collectors and a robust secondary market grew for collectibles. But like all fads, interest chilled and values dropped dramatically. There is still plenty of California Raisin items found on eBay, for example, but for the most part the raisin craze remains valuable largely as a memory rather than as a collectible.
What was the California Raisins commercial called?
Their commercial was such a success that they were also given a Saturday morning show in the late 80s. It was called, “The California Raisins Show ”.
What do you remember about raisins?
What I remember most about these fun little raisins is that they would sing the famous song, ‘I Heard It Through The Grape Vine’ and they simply captured our hearts. They first did this for a commercial to promote California Raisins and later for Post Raisin Bran cereal and even had some animated specials. Since their humble beginnings, they have managed to become a sensation that everyone remembers. They were talented, cute and this made us love raisins even more. What started off as an advertising joke turned into an absolute sensation! If you can remember loving these sweet raisins, then you may be interested to know some fun facts know about them that you never knew before.
When did California dancing raisins retire?
The original California Dancing Raisins retired in 1994 after entertaining us for years.
Who sang the California Raisins?
The California Raisins sang rhythm and blues, and their vocals were sung by musician Buddy Miles. Will Vinton, the animator who coined the word "claymation" helped bring them to life. This silly but beloved group was popular throughout the 1980s, making a name for Sun-Maid as more than a mediocre snack.
What is the California Raisins commercial?
The California Raisins started off as a Sun-Maid commercial in a marketing scheme to improve the sales of raisins. This 30-second tv commercial featured a group of anthropomorphized, claymation raisins dressed to the nines in their suits and bowties. These talented little guys sang and danced their hearts out to "I heard it through the grapevine."
Why did the raisins campaign end?
The campaign eventually ended because of how expensive it was for the raisin growers. Along with this, CALRAB, the company who created the campaign, closed in 1994. Although we can no longer see these stylin raisins singing and dancing up a storm, this pop culture moment will never be forgotten.
What was the first show on CBS called Meet the Raisins?
The next year, there was a Saturday morning cartoon series, The California Raisin Show . Then, in 1990, a sequel to Meet the Raisins! came out, called The Raisins: Sold Out!- The California Raisins II.
Who invented the song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"?
The idea was born when writer Seth Werner of Foote, Cone & Belding SF pitched the idea at a meeting on behalf of the California Raisin Advisory Board. The sales for Sun-Maid weren't doing well, as it was proving hard to shake raisins' reputation as a boring, healthy dried fruit. At the ad agency meeting, Werner declared "we have tried everything but dancing raisins singing 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine.'" Popularized by Marvin Gaye, this song would become even more popular after being belted out by a group of dancing raisins.
What are the California raisins?
The California Raisins are sculpted clay figures used as advertising and merchandising characters by the California Raisin Advisory Board. The figures were first developed by Will Vinton Productions in 1986 based on caricatures of African American rhythm-and-blues groups. The California Raisins are often accompanied by a soundtrack of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” originally popularized by singer Marvin Gaye. The Raisins released numerous studio albums in the 1980s, starred in a cartoon series, and were nominated for an Emmy for their 1988 “Meet the Raisins” mockumentary. These figures were used in the Claymation advertisements from 1986 through 1991.
When did the Raisins come out?
The Raisins released numerous studio albums in the 1980s, starred in a cartoon series, and were nominated for an Emmy for their 1988 “Meet the Raisins” mockumentary. These figures were used in the Claymation advertisements from 1986 through 1991.
When was the California Raisins 2?
The California Raisins II is a 1990 claymation television special directed by Will Vinton, featuring the advertising characters The California Raisins. The show was broadcast August 29, 1990, on the U.S. television network CBS during primetime. It was the sequel to the Emmy-nominated special Meet the Raisins! in 1988.
Who is the manager of the California Raisins?
This includes "home movie" clips, scenes of the group's early days as the Vine-Yls, concert footage, and interviews with the people behind the success of the California Raisins, including manager Rudy Bagaman. The group is also shown performing various hit songs.
What genres did the Raisins play?
Under his guidance, the Raisins try their hand at various new musical genres, including Disco Polka, Country Rap , and Demolition Rock, to humorous effect. The group's troubles begin to manifest, however, upon the replacement of singer A.C. with their manager's young protégé, Lick Broccoli.
What era was the song "I heard it through the grapevine" from?
It consists of early rock & roll as well as R&B hits largely from the Motown era. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," the group's signature song, reached #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. The soundtrack received praise from Allmusic 's Peter Fawthrop who named it an AMG Album Pick.
When was Meet the Raisins released?
Releases. Meet the Raisins! was released on VHS on March 14, 1989. It was re-released on September 12, 1990 with a California Raisin plush doll. The special was released on DVD November 15, 2011. Included in the set is the sequel to the claymation special, The Raisins: Sold Out!:
What is the spoof of Meet the Raisins?
Meet the Raisins! spoofs musical documentaries with its use of anthropomorphic produce characters. Through its historical perspective, the special also provided an opportunity to elaborate on the personalities and introduce names of the simple yet popular characters. It follows the California Raisins' humble beginnings, rise to musical success, fall from stardom, and eventual comeback. This includes "home movie" clips, scenes of the group's early days as the Vine-Yls, concert footage, and interviews with the people behind the success of the California Raisins, including manager Rudy Bagaman. The group is also shown performing various hit songs.
Is Raisins sold out on VHS?
As was its predecessor, The Raisins: Sold Out! was released in VHS .
Overview
Origin and success
The concept was originally created for a 1986 Sun-Maid commercial on behalf of the California Raisin Advisory Board when one of the writers, Seth Werner (at the time with the advertising firm Foote, Cone & Belding SF, and now with big) came up with an idea for the new raisin commercial, saying, "We have tried everything but dancing raisins singing 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'" (the 1968 song popularized by Marvin Gaye). To their surprise, the commercial became wildly po…
Merchandise
Many of the items created for the campaign have become part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Merchandise sales included toys and Raisins images on nearly every conceivable medium: lunch boxes, notebooks, clothing, posters, bedsheets, and even a Halloween costume, just to name a few. A California Raisins Fan Club began in 1987, which included a Grapevine Gazette newsletter and various memorabilia. Blackthorne Publishing also released a si…
Decline
Although popular with the public, the California Raisin campaign eventually failed because its production cost the raisin growers almost twice their earnings. CALRAB, the organization who made the campaign, was also closed on July 31, 1994, due to disagreements with raisin producers over the fairness of required payments to the organization.
Post-popularity and legacy
On March 28, 1997 Entertainment Weekly published "The 50 Best Commercials of All Time" as its cover story. The article ranked The California Raisins' premiere advertisement, "Lunchbox", at #15 with comments by ad agency executive Claude Jacques and described the Raisins as "The coolest wrinkled musicians this side of the Stones."
The vast amount of California Raisins merchandise has made for a substantial collectors' marke…
Discography
• The California Raisins Sing the Hit Songs - 1987, Priority Records
• "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" b/w "I Got You (I Feel Good)" - 1988, Purple Vinyl 7"
• "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" - 1988 (single, peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100)
Awards and nominations
• A Claymation Christmas Celebration - Primetime Emmy
• Meet the Raisins! - Primetime Emmy nominee
External links
• All Music Entry
• "California Raisins" TV series at IMDb
• "Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II" at IMDb
• California Raisins NES Game