Today’s entry is going to be a big one, and it covers a brand whose history I’ve been chasing down for over a decade. One of the original “big stick” bubble gum brands, it’s Bazooka’s (and Topps’) Big Buddy!
Before I get into it, I wanted to highlight that today’s post is the culmination of years of research and hunting, finally coming together by way of a significant addition to my historical materials just recently, thanks to fellow collector and friend. And as is the case with so much of what we write about and publish here on the site, the vast majority of today’s material has never been published before and was previously unknown or as I like to say, “un-Google-able”. You won’t find this information or these images anywhere else, so let’s get to it!
Big Buddy launched sometime in the mid-1960’s, at least as early 1968 though it could have been a littler earlier than that. It was a period when other “big stick” bubble gum brands were similarly being launched and were quite popular: There was Big Boss from Philadelphia Chewing Gum and one of my favorites, Bub’s Daddy from Donruss!
Donruss – Bub’s Daddy – Cherry – 5-cent bubble gum pack wrapper – 1970’s
The novelty of these brands was that, unlike typical bubble gum that arrived in convenient bite-sized pieces, these burst onto the scene like confectionery ruler-length slabs. Too big to chew in a single session and impressively long.
The earliest version of Big Buddy wrapper even sported an on-the-pack ruler, a design feature that would be copied some years later for the Mars’ Marathon bar (another favorite of mine).
Marathon bar wrapper – M&M Mars – 1973-1974
Here’s an example of what is likely the very first version of Big Buddy bubble gum wrapper, featuring a on-wrapper ruler as well as a 5-cent on-pack price [Note that Big Buddy was sold in a cellophane style wrapper for the first several years of its existence.]:
Topps – Big Buddy bubble gum – 1.2 oz 5-cent bubble gum wrapper – 1968
And here’s a launch year display box for the brand:
Topps – Big Buddy bubble gum – 5-cent display box – 1968
Here’s an example of one of those early design Big Buddy wrappers with the numbered ruler, but one that lacked the on-pack printed price:
Topps – Big Buddy – original – numbered ruler – 1.2 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1968-69
The ruler was a clever design feature, as it visually indicated Big Buddy being a full foot-long chunk of bubble gum, even though the contents were a little short of that. [Big Buddy was typically around 9″ long at this point.] Included as cross promotion on the display boxes of other Topps products, it was even referred to as “the big ruler bubble gum”:
Topps – Bubble Gum Drops – 5-cent display box – 1968
Topps Big Buddy – The Big Ruler bubble gum – Drops display box promotional panel from 1968
And, for reasons I haven’t been able to determine yet, the numbers on the ruler were soon removed so that by 1970, the “big ruler bubble gum” became less ruler-like than it had previously been:
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy – original fruit – 11 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1970-71
Big Buddy was clearly a success, and it rapidly became a brand that was cross-promoted and cross-sold/packaged as you can see in this combo display box, that featured half Big Buddy and half Topps Gold Rush bubblegum in the unusual “scented” flavor.
Topps – Big Buddy & Scented Gold Rush combo display box bottom – 1970
By 1970, the success of Big Buddy was clear and so much so that Topps was introducing the first flavor extensions for the brand, Grape and Cherry.
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Grape – NEW – bubble gum display box – circa 1970
Topps – Big Buddy Grape – 1.2 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1970
It would appear that Big Buddy initially started at a 1.2 oz size, and was quickly reduced to 1.1 ounces.
Topps – Big Buddy Grape – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Cherry – NEW – bubble gum display box – circa 1970
Topps – Big Buddy Cherry – 1.2 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1970
Big Buddy’s growth in the market continued as the brand flourished, so that in late 1970 or early 1971 it received an additional round of flavor extensions, Raspberry and Hawaiian. It was also the year that Big Buddy’s wrapper design changed to reflect a new, unified look:
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Fruit – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971
Topps – New – Raspberry Big Buddy – 5-cent Bubble Gum box flat – 1970-71
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Raspberry – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Raspberry – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971
Topps – New Hawaiian Big Buddy Bubble Gum Box Flat – 1971
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Hawaiian – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Hawaiian – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971
Late 1971 saw another new flavor introduced to the Big Buddy family with Lemon-Lime, bringing the total to an impressive six flavors:
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Lemon-Lime – bubble gum display box – circa 1971-72
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Lemon-Lime – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971-72
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Lemon-Lime – 1.1 oz cellophane bubble gum wrapper – 1971-72
Lemon-Lime as the new flavor in the family was highlighted in these candy industry trade ads from January 1972. These two ads featured all six flavors as well as pointing out that Big Buddy was shifting away from a cellophane wrapper to a wax-style wrapper:
Topps – Big Buddy – Freshest New Packaging – candy industry trade ad -January 1972
Here’s a promotional mini-flyer touting the same packaging, and highlighting the “Big Ruler” description:
Topps Big Buddy Original Big Ruler Bubble Gum mini promo flyer – 1972-73
This next trade ad similarly invokes the “Big Ruler” description for Big Buddy, as well as hinting toward even more new flavor extensions:
Topps – Everything’s Coming Up Big Buddy – candy industry trade ad – January 1972
That first ad showcases six different display boxes with a Big Buddy graphic of a giant and a friend, backed by photos of real fruits. Each of this style of box includes the tagline “The First Bubblegum for Giants”. I’ve already shown you the Lemon-Lime box, but I’m happy to have all of the others to share here as well:
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Grape – bubble gum display box – circa 1972
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Original Fruit – bubble gum display box – circa 1972
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Raspberry – bubble gum display box – circa 1972
Topps – Bazooka’s Hawaiian Pineapple Big Buddy Bubble Gum box flat – 1972
Here are a few examples of the redesigned wax (non-cellophane) wrappers:
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Grape – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1972-73
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Hawaiian – bubblegum wrapper (trimmed) – 1972-73
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Fruit – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1972-73
While Big Buddy was experiencing success in the United States, Topps’ Canadian licensee O-Pee-Chee was also selling a lot of the bubble gum. Here’s a wrapper example from my files of the bi-lingual Canadian OPC release. Note that the OPC version still presented with a numbered ruler graphic on the wrapper:
Canada – Topps Big Buddy bubble gum – Fruit – bubblegum wrapper – 1970’s
Believe it or not, Big Buddy would venture into special seasonal releases for Easter 1972 with a cleverly-renamed “Big Bunny” release. I don’t have any examples of Big Bunny wrappers in my archives (boy, I’d like to find one!) but I do have an industry trade clipping that features the release:
Topps- Big Bunny Big Buddy – Easter bubblegum – candy trade ad January-February 1972
In 1973, Topps would bring a seventh flavor to the Big Buddy family in the form of “Frosty Orange Mint” as shown in this industry trade clipping:
Topps – Bazooka Big Buddy Frosty Orange – candy industry trade clipping – June 1973
Here’s a look at all seven 1973 Big Buddy flavor packs, all in wax wrappers:
Topps Big Buddy packs 1973
That image was isolated from this outstanding September 1973 Topps trade ad, featuring most of the Topps confectionery family at the time:
Topps – Always a Step Ahead – candy industry trade ad – September 1973
Here is a lovely set of all seven of the 1973 style Big Buddy wrappers, including the newly-added Frosty Orange:
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Cherry – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Frosty Mint Orange – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Fruit – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Grape – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Hawaiian – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Lemon-Lime – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Raspberry – 1.1 oz bubble gum wrapper – 1973
Eighth and ninth Big Buddy flavor offerings would be added sometime in late 1973 or early 1974, as shown in this clip from a Topps sales brochure featuring flavor extensions Hot cinnamon and Watermelon:
Big Buddy display boxes from Topps product brochure featuring “Hot” – 1974
This Big Buddy Cherry display box from the period showcases eight flavors on the back of the box, but had not yet added Watermelon to the list (and now refers to the Hawaiian flavor as Pineapple):
Topps – Bazooka’s Cherry Big Buddy Bubble Gum box flat – 1973-74
Next up is an interesting piece, as it is an uncut display box for what what was a variety assortment of Big Buddy – eight flavors all in one box!
Topps – Big Buddy Bubble Gum 8-Flavor Box Flat – 1973-74
Later on in 1974, Big Buddy’s wrapper design would evolve once more, moving to a repeating design as seen on the following Watermelon wrapper [Note: This also reveals a drop in size from 1.1 oz to 1 oz]:
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Watermelon – 1 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1974
Here’s a matching Big Buddy Watermelon display box from the period:
Topps – Bazooka’s Big Buddy – Watermelon – bubblegum display box – 1974
The move to a repeating wrapper design raises a question as to why that change was made? It might have been simply to refresh the brand, but I’d speculate that it was due to a change in production (a new factory or machine) as repeating wrapper designs are easier to utilize in more scenarios and within more types of wrapping machines. They can be cut anywhere along the wrapper line and they’ll function just as well. Here are an assortment of other Big Buddy repeating wrapper examples from 1974. Unfortunately, each one of these examples was trimmed and shortened from its original length for inclusion in a scrapbook at the time:
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Cherry – 1 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1974
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Frosty Mint Orange – 1oz bubblegum wrapper – 1974
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Hot – 1 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1974
Topps – Bazooka – Big Buddy Original Fruit – 1oz bubblegum wrapper – 1974.jpg
I’m not sure how long the repeating wrapper design lasted, as by 1975, Big Buddy packs were featuring an on-pack promotion as well as a return to their original 1.2 oz size. The promotional offer took up a significant amount of the wrapper, as you can see here:
Topps – Big Buddy – Cherry – special offer Popeye – 1.2 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1975
By 1977, Big Buddy would undergo another revamp both in packaging design and flavor assortment. Gaining an Apple flavor somewhere along the way:
Topps – Big Buddy bubble gum – sell sheet – circa 1977
Display boxes for Big Buddy also got a new look, now including the faces of excited kids:
Topps Big Buddy display box circa October 1977 – from candy trade ad
Topps – Choosing is Half the Fun – candy industry trade ad – October 1977
I have a few examples of Big Buddy wrappers from this late 1970’s design, and here they are:
Topps – Big Buddy Fruit – 1.1oz bubblegum wrapper – 1979
Topps – Big Buddy Grape – 1.1oz bubblegum wrapper – 1979
Topps – Big Buddy Cherry – 1.1 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1979
In 1981, Big Buddy would receive an update for the 80’s with yet another wrapper design refresh as well as the introduction of the first Big Buddy Strawberry flavor:
Topps – Big Buddy bubble gum sell sheet promotional flyer – 1981
I really dig the addition of “The almost Foot Long Bubble Gum” tagline to the wrapper, along with a set of footprint graphics to go along with that. Sadly, this also meant the loss of the old ruler markings that had been a staple on Big Buddy wrappers from the beginning. Here are a couple examples of the 1981 design:
Topps – Big Buddy Cherry – 1 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1981
Topps – Big Buddy Grape – 1 oz bubblegum wrapper – 1981
By 1983, the end was closing in on Big Buddy. I speculate that the decline was related to the massive shift in popularity toward the “soft chunk” category of bubblegum with brands like Bubble Yum, Bubblicious and Hubba Bubba.
Still, Big Buddy had a little life left in it, and in 1983 would return to a larger 1.25oz size as well as a change from wax to a poly/cello style wrapper. The packs themselves highlighted the increase in size with a chevron call-out:
Topps Big Buddy bubblegum sell sheet promotional flyer – 1983
Topps – Big Buddy Grape – 25 percent bigger – 1.25oz bubblegum wrapper – 1983
Topps – Big Buddy Grape – 25 percent bigger – 1.25oz bubblegum wrapper – 1983
1983 would appear to have been the end of the Big Buddy bubblegum brand. In 1984, Topps attempted to keep the format alive through a re-branding, wrapping it into the iconic Bazooka family and calling it “Big Bazooka”.
Topps – Big Bazooka – Big Buddy – bubble gum sell sheet promotional flyer – 1984
Here’s an example of a Big Bazooka wrapper:
Topps – Big Bazooka – Original – 1oz bubble gum wrapper – 1984
And so, after sixteen years and eleven different flavors, Topps’ Big Buddy brand would be retired, ending a major chapter in the “big stick” bubblegum category’s history. The other powerhouse player in the category, Donruss’ Bub’s Daddy, would follow suit a few short years later, leaving no other widely sold big stick bubblegum brands available. Times and tastes had changed, but what a ride it was for a brand that I always thought was pretty darned cool. Thanks for the memories, Big Buddy!
Today’s post is an extension of the celebration of CollectingCandy.com’s 6th Anniversary. It’s the kind of article that deep dives into a brand that has been virtually forgotten to history, and one that aims to document and preserve it in a way that only CollectingCandy.com can.
With over two dozen vintage wrappers, a dozen vintage display boxes and various promotional flyers and industry clippings, the documenting of the history of the Big Buddy brand has now been established, and as I discover new pieces going forward I will work to figure out how they fit into the existing puzzle. Undoubtedly, my understanding of the brand’s timeline may evolve, but that’s the fun of it!
So with that, I’ll sign off on all things Big Buddy for now. If anyone remembers this classic brand, please leave a comment and share your story. See you next time!
Once again,- I enjoyed the nostalgic trip.
Thanks, Wally! Always great to hear from you. -Jason
Although I have little memory of Big Buddy, I do recall it best from its Wacky Packages appearance as Big Baddy.
Love the article and the “archeology”! I have a vivid memory of chomping on a stick of Big Buddy “Frosty Orange” bubble gum, while sitting in my mom’s friend’s car, opening a Hot Wheels Heavy Weights Moving Van… in the Child World parking lot… in Fitchburg, Massachusetts… it was a slightly overcast day… in January… 1974. I can’t tell you what I had for lunch today, but I remember every detail about the things that matter in life! Thanks again for stirring up the nostalgia!
Wow, George! That’s an absolutely awesome reminiscence and thank you for sharing it. Hot Wheels Heavy Weights Moving Van, Child World, and Frosty Orange Big Buddy.. fantastic! 🙂
Thanks for the wealth of information on this brand. You continue to deliver the goods.
Would you say that the Big Buddy giant and unnamed “little buddy” mascots were only around from 1972-1973 then?
Brandon,
I think it’s possible that they were showing up on display boxes in late 1971.. maybe. I mean, they’re shown in a January 1972 trade ad, and that at least offers the possibility of a late ’71 intro for them. And I also think they may have still been used on some flavors into 1974, as they are still shown in the 1974 Topps brochure.
I think the safest bet that I’d make, given the data I’ve been able to gather, is that you can guess these likely hit 1971-1974, but definitely were all over throughout 1972-73.
Still lots to discover, and I GOTTA find a “Big Bunny” wrapper. 🙂
Amazing post (as always). Thanks Jason!
Thanks, Glen!! Always so good hearing from you. -J
I am in the car with my 16 year old son driving (God forbid with a learner’s permit) coming back from a long weekend. We were chewing bubble gum (which I love
as I grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s). We were discussing our favorite Bubble gums. I then told him about the time as a young girl (think I was 8 or 9 years old) that I got a Big Buddy and when I peeled back the paper, the paint from the wrapper had stuck to the gum (my favorite was fruit flavor). I took it upon myself to write them a letter (found the address on the back of the wrapper) and told them that although I was a faithful fan, had spent many of hard earned “nickels” and “dimes” on their gums, that this was dangerous for a child or anyone to ingest this paint. I sent some of it back with the paint on it and ate the rest!
The company sent me back a nice letter and huge box of almost every Candy they made. I will never forget this and forever will the a fan of Bazooka which is Topp’s.
I had no idea you existed but am so impressed Jason that you have this beloved blog. I loved my penny candy and relive my childhood days and happy memories when I reminisce or think about it. Thank you for the blog and your work in the Comic Books industry!
Oh my gosh, I was beginning to think I was the only one who remembered, loved and revered Big Buddy! I haven’t been able to find out anything about it since we left our old neighborhood in the mid-70’s. I was just a little girl, but I loved those .05 cent grape Big Buddies with all my heart. Yes, I tried Hawaiian, but at the time, The Brady Bunch were going to the Big Island and all manner of totem pole curses and tarantula sightings were occurring so I was totally against that flavor. The only thing better than a Big Buddy was a Big Buddy AND a Royal Crown Cola straight out of the big white cooler in 7-11, but that was a whole quarter so we’re talking serious money here. Thank you for an incredibly sweet memory!
I am in my late 50’s and still love bubble gum. In 1973, my best friend and I would ride our bikes to the Dart Drug and buy Bug Buddies. We would have a race to see who could chew the entire Big Buddy and be the first to blow a bubble. Good times…..
Just stumbled on this (loved the whole thing!) and my husband and I are trying to figure out the tubes that look like prescription bottles. He thinks they’re those fake lipsticks that contain a sweet-tart like stick. But as a kid, I had a weird belief that old shotgun shells had bubblegum in them, so I think (hope? otherwise, wth kid, why shotgun shells?) that at some point there was gum packaged in something vaguely shotgun shell-like. Anyone?
Are there still a lot of candy wrapper collectors around. I don’t look at candy bars much anymore. I just don’t think there are many new ones around. ???
Hearing that ice cream truck knowing every Big Buddy flavor was on it. As a 10 year old did anything else matter?
I remember Big Buddy verry well !! Loved those. I was sorry when they
stopped making them. The Orange mint was great. And I liked the
Hawaiian. Should bring them back. Along with the big Bazooka bars that
were the shape of a Kit Kat. The cherry ones were tremendous.
Guess I’m just too ancient—–my first memory of bubble gum was Boloney gum. I’m not sure of the spelling, but I think that’s right. When I was four, in ’38, Dad gave me a nickel to buy Mother a birthday present, at the corner candy store. I selfishly bought her five pieces of Boloney gum, which was MY favorite. Odd thing, that just recently I found that my four youngest grandkids had NEVER chewed bubble gum!!! Next visit, we all had fun, with giant bubbles blown, and later we picked it out of our eyebrows and hair…. When Boloney Gum went out, Double Bubble sufficiently replaced it……..with little comics included. A lot of fun for a few cents…
BETTY ANDERSON
In the mid to late 70’s didn’t Bazooka sell big pieces of gum, about 3″ x 4″ that looked the little pieces, with a crease down the middle to look like two pieces. I remember buying those in ’77/’78
As. 60- year-old bubble gum aficionado, I loved this nostalgic trip to my childhood. Thank you! I started my gum craze at 4 years old in Japan which has great gum! My favorite however was Big Buddy Hawaiian. I also vaguely recall it being tied to Funny Car racing and dragsters… particularly the Hawaiian flavor as I believe a race car was similarly named. Thanks again!
Am I wrong or did Bazooka come out with a large gum back in the late 70’s that came with free iron on? I seem to remember I had a shirt covered in them but can’t find any info anywhere. Was this a thing (Canadian)? or is it a Mandela Effect happening?
Hi Kim,
Yes, Topps made “Far Out Iron Ons” and sold them in large packs. They didn’t come with gum but they were pretty cool. I documented them on my Flickr many years ago:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34428338@N00/2613815424
Jason
I can safely say that Big Buddy was around in 1974-1975. Hawaiian being my favorite! I would travel to the Convenient store each Saturday Night. I prepared for my Creature Feature marathon by purchasing my weekly comics,candy, Big Buddy gum and taco flavored Doritos! After obtaining my survival kit I would rush home and anxiously await for the Horror Fest to commence. I specifically remember the ruler marking because it was advertised as an entire FOOT of gum. Thank You So much for your research because no one I know recalled the gum at all, much less the name of it. I was beginning to contribute it to waking up in an alternate universe. Lol
I wish they would bring back the Big Buddy Gum!! Gum today doesn’t even hold a candle to Big Buddy!! Thanks for all the information, it was a great read and took me back to my childhood days!
I wish they still made the Big Buddy Gum! Today’s gum is terrible. Thanks for all the information and taking me back to my childhood days!
Where can I get big buddy bubble gum, I would like to buy it!
Big buddy was the best bubble gum ever!
I remember early to mid 70’s and then I don’t think I found it in the 80’s. Cherry and Grape were my go to’s. Miss that. I have a hard time now when I go to the candy isle finding something I like! They changed now and laters, jolly ranchers, the big sweet tarts, and my big buddy.
Used to buy big buddies at the corner store before Jr. High school started during the mid 1970’s and tearing off pieces to give to some of the girls in class. Those were good times.
I want the big buddy bubble gum to come back love to buy some