The California Raisins

The California Raisins were a fictional rhythm-and-blues animated musical group and advertising icons represented as anthropomorphic raisins. Renowned musician Buddy Miles provided lead vocals for most of their performances. From 1986 to 2002, the California Raisins gained widespread popularity through claymation TV commercials and animated specials, winning an Emmy Award and earning another nomination during their run.

Names	A.C, Beebop, Stretch, Red
Gender	Male
Race	Rasins
Occupation	Mascots, Musicians
Origin	Sun-Maid Commercial (June 19, 1986)
Alignment	Good
Age	Unknown
Created By	California Raisin Advisory Board, Foote, Cone & Belding

Appearance

The California Raisins were anthropomorphic raisins characterized by their wrinkled, raisin-like bodies, expressive claymation faces, and distinct outfits that reflected their musical persona. Each Raisin had a unique look, complementing their roles within the band. A.C., the lead vocalist, often wore sunglasses, projecting a cool and charismatic frontman vibe. Beebop, the drummer, sported a laid-back and lively appearance, while Stretch, the bassist, had a lanky and easygoing look. Red, the guitarist/pianist, was often depicted with a slightly quirky and creative flair. Their claymation designs allowed for highly exaggerated expressions and movements, emphasizing their musical energy and charm.

Personality

The Raisins were depicted as fun-loving, confident, and charismatic performers with a deep passion for rhythm and blues. A.C. exuded leadership and stage presence, driving the group's performances. Beebop was playful and high-energy, bringing humor and spontaneity. Stretch had a mellow, laid-back demeanor, balancing the group dynamics, while Red showcased creativity and quirkiness, often adding an offbeat but endearing touch. Together, they embodied the spirit of a classic band, with their personalities amplifying their appeal in commercials, specials, and merchandise. Their charm, combined with their soulful music, made them iconic pop culture figures of the late 20th century.

History

The concept originated with the advertising firm Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB) for a 1986 Sun-Maid commercial commissioned by the California Raisin Advisory Board. Seth Werner, an FCB copywriter in San Francisco, pitched the idea of "dancing raisins singing 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine,'" referencing the 1968 hit popularized by Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The unexpected success of the commercial led to a series of follow-ups and cross-media ventures. The claymation ads were produced by Vinton Studios, featuring character designs by Michael Brunsfeld.

In 1987, the California Raisins appeared in the Emmy-winning A Claymation Christmas Celebration, performing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The group also released four studio albums between 1987 and 2002 under Warner Bros. Records, Priority Records, BMG, and ZTT Records. Their signature rendition of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" reached number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100. Buddy Miles provided most of the lead vocals, supported by Ellis Hall, Niki Haris, and backing vocalists Howard McCrary, Howard Smith, and Leslie Smith. However, their strongest cultural impact came from animated projects, including endorsements for Post Raisin Bran cereal.

On November 4, 1988, CBS aired Meet the Raisins!, a primetime musical mockumentary created by Vinton Studios, which earned a Primetime Emmy nomination. The special introduced individual characters: A.C. (vocals), Beebop (drums), Stretch (bass), and Red (guitar/piano). The following year, a Saturday morning cartoon series, The California Raisin Show, debuted but lasted only 13 episodes. Although cel-animated by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson, the show retained Will Vinton’s creative vision. In 1990, a sequel to the CBS special aired under the title The Raisins: Sold Out! - The California Raisins II, which followed the group’s quest to make a comeback with the help of a new manager.

The campaign ended on July 31, 2002, following the collapse of the California Raisin Advisory Board. Members of the grape farming industry had grown increasingly concerned about escalating fees used to fund the campaign. The structure funneled all profits back to Foote, Cone & Belding for additional commercials and merchandise, creating a financially unsustainable cycle.

Many items created for the California Raisins campaign have become part of the Smithsonian Institution's permanent collection. Merchandise sales featured Raisins imagery on nearly every imaginable medium, including toys, lunch boxes, notebooks, clothing, posters, bedsheets, and even Halloween costumes. In 1987, the California Raisins Fan Club launched, offering members a Grapevine Gazette newsletter and various memorabilia. Blackthorne Publishing also released a six-issue comic book series titled The California Raisins 3-D, which included 3D glasses. These comics were later re-released in the Ultimate Collection trade paperback.

Several music albums were released, featuring classic Motown and rock standards, with artwork and direction by Helane Freeman, who later gained fame for her work on Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. These albums, along with other campaign materials, were also included in the Smithsonian collection.

One of the most iconic pieces of California Raisins merchandise was the small, non-poseable figurines offered by Hardee's restaurants as part of a promotion for their Cinnamon 'N' Raisin biscuits. Collections were produced in 1987, 1988, 1991, and 2001, the latter involving Carl's Jr. after its acquisition of Hardee's. The updated 2001 designs remain visible on the California Raisin Marketing Board website.

In the early 1990s, Capcom developed an NES video game titled The California Raisins: The Grape Escape. Players controlled a California Raisin through five side-scrolling levels, battling villainous fruits and vegetables. Although completed and reviewed by critics, the game was never officially released. Separately, Box Office Software developed a 1988 computer game for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and PC, where Tiny Goodbite had to rescue friends kidnapped and held in a cereal factory.

Post-Popularity and Legacy

In 1997, Entertainment Weekly ranked the Raisins' debut advertisement, Lunchbox, at #15 on its "50 Best Commercials of All Time" list, describing them as "the coolest wrinkled musicians this side of the Stones." Their extensive merchandising has fostered a significant collectors' market, even inspiring an unauthorized collectibles guide in 1998 cataloging items based on the characters.

In 2002, the Food Network's Unwrapped featured a segment on the California Raisins, including interviews with Will Vinton, David Altschul, and Mark Gustafson of Vinton Studios, along with original concept illustrations. A later article by AnimateClay.com detailed the fate of the original claymation figures, which were nearly discarded before being salvaged by Webster Colcord, a former Vinton employee. Photos revealed the figures’ poor condition, including the missing head of the A.C. puppet.

In 2015, plans for a live-action/CGI reboot of the California Raisins were announced, with Rusty Citron, president of The Actors Hall of Fame Foundation, as one of the project leaders.