BOB CREWE (Lyricist). "New York was pregnant in the fifties," says Bob Crewe, "gestating
with possibilities." Crewe and music partner Frank Slay became independent
writer-producers when the category hadn’t yet been invented. In 1957 they wrote
and produced "Silhouettes" for The Rays, which skyrocketed to #1. Suddenly,
producers in demand, they launched Freddie Cannon’s "Tallahassee Lassie" and
Billy & Lillie’s "Lah Dee Da." Crewe’s 1960’s unprecedented producing
success with The Four Seasons birthed a new sound, striking a major chord in
American pop. "Sherry," "Big Girls Don’t Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "Candy Girl,"
"Ronnie" – all smashes! When lead Frankie Valli demanded a solo turn,
Crewe and Bob Gaudio wrote (and Crewe produced) "Can’t Take My Eyes Off of
You," which eventually became the century’s fifth most-played song. Crewe ran
hot with artists from Vicki Carr, Oliver and Lesley Gore to Mitch Ryder,
co-writing with Charles Fox the soundtrack for Jane Fonda’s film, "Barbarella."
Then his own Bob Crewe Generation exploded with Music to Watch Girls By.
In 1972 Bob was in L.A., where he revived Frankie Valli with "My Eyes Adored
You" by Crewe and Kenny Nolan. They also co-wrote Patti LaBelle’s "Lady
Marmalade" (#1, July ’75), which was a hit again on the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge (#1, June ’01)...David Ritz