“Gravy” (1970) – The Globetrotters * Written by Rudy Clark, J.R. Bailey, and Ken Williams * 45: “Gravy” / “Cheer Me Up” * LP: The Globetrotters * Produced by Jeff Barry * Label: Kirshner
Cartoon characters usually had corresponding music business obligations in the early ’70s. The animated Globetrotters, who scrapped the “Harlem” from their name during this peak era of theirs in pop cultural prominence, were no exception. They also owed some kind of debt for their conceptual musical careers to Don Kirshner, who had dreamed up the Monkees and the Archies. The Globetrotters’ only album, released on the Kirshner label (with Archies producer Jeff Barry on board), featured a fun gatefold cover with pop-out art. Although Meadowlark Lemon was the only real life Globetrotter to participate on the album by contributing background vocals, it was journeyman vocalist and songwriter J.R. Bailey who sang lead. No Globetrotter singles cracked the Billboard Hot 100.