Ohio Express Specialized In Bubblegum Pop

One of the many genres bouncing around the music scene in the 1960s was something known as ‘bubblegum pop’, a light and frothy sound that seems a little silly now but often featured some surprisingly addictive tunes. One that might qualify is a million-seller from a group known as Ohio Express, an instantly recognizable song with the unlikely title of “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.”

Ohio Express was one of the groups crafted by producers Jeff Katz and Jerry Kasenetz (who also formed the less successful 1910 Fruitgum Company). A lot of confusion still exists about exact personnel during various periods, with members of earlier groups like The Rare Breed and Sir Timothy & The Royals sometimes filling out the ranks for live shows. It seems pretty certain that Ohio Express was mostly a studio band showcasing lead vocalist Joey Levine at the time of its biggest hits, but it’s still a mystery whether the guys shown on album covers were actually performing all the songs enclosed.

In any case, the group’s two biggest hits appeared on the charts in 1968, and both were million-sellers. In addition to “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy,” which nearly reached the top, the equally goofily-named “Chewy, Chewy” made it into the Top 15. Subsequent recordings didn’t do quite as well though, and within a year or two the group was dissolved. Various members have occasionally performed together in the years since.

Ohio Express – “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy”