Sounds of Soul
The song “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” was written by Maurice Irby, Jr., arranged by song and film composer Joe Renzetti, and recorded by the pop soul group Jay and The Techniques. In 1967, it went to #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada as well as #8 on the U.S. R&B Chart. The song sold more than one million copies and was awarded an RIAA gold record. The song was also on their 1968 album Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie. There were a number of covers of the song, including versions by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (titled “Ready or Not”), Truman Thomas, The Fourmost, Mary Wells, Foster Sylvers, and Brave Combo.
Jay and The Techniques were from Allentown, Pennsylvania. They were Jay Proctor (lead vocals), George “Lucky” Lloyd (vocals), Dante Dancho (lead guitar), Chuck Crowl (bass guitar), Karl Landis (drums), Ronnie Goosley (saxophone), and Jon Walsh (trumpet). Paul Coles, Jr., later replaced Landis and Danny Altieri later replaced Walsh. They had hits with “Keep the Ball Rollin'” and “Strawberry Shortcake.”
3 Comments
I remember that song so very well, and was living in downtown Baltimore when it first aired on local radio station..Sounds just as good today as it did back in the day!
It’s a great song!
I should probably let you know that Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs actually recorded the song first before Jay and the Techniques (they released it on their album The Best of Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in 1966, a year before Jay and the Techniques recorded it) and the band was also not allowed to play on this single or any of their other hit A side singles by their producer Jerry Ross and Jay Proctor (the group’s lead singer) is the only member of the band that is present on Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie. Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson also appear as uncredited background singers on this song .It was also recorded at Bell Sound Studios in January of 1967 with Jerry Ross producing and Joe Renzetti arranging.