The California Raisins

The California Raisins are a rhythm and blues raisin band. The fictional characters were most famously presented in claymation TV commercials but also made some cel animated, TV specials, albums, and other appearances. Of course they also appeared in videogames, resembling their cel animated cartoon incarnations. They were known for their signature cover of Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through the Grapevine but sang many other song, enough for 4 albums (2 of which sold over 1 million copies). Buddy Miles voiced lead vocals for the A.C character.

The Band:
A.C. (lead vocals)
Beebop (drums)
Stretch (bass)
Red (piano)

The California Raisin Advisory Board (CALRAB), had hired the advertising firm Foote, Cone & Belding. After numerous unsuccessful campaigns Employee of the firm, Seth Warner, remarked in frustration "We have tried everything but dancing raisins singing 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'". Thus came the idea for The California Raisins. CALRAB hired Will Vinton's Laika Studios who were famous for their Emmy Award Winning claymation. The decision was made to animated the characters in clay and they were designed by Michael Brunsfeld of Laika. More TV commercials, albums, TV specials, an animinated series, lots of merchandising, and non-posable figures would follow the initial commercial with their popularity peeking around 1990.

Buddy Miles joined his father’s jazz group, the Bebops, when 12 years old (one of the raisins is named Beebop).