Bob Crewe facts for kids

Robert Stanley Crewe (born November 12, 1930 – died September 11, 2014) was an American songwriter, singer, and record producer. He was famous for producing and co-writing many hit songs. He worked with Bob Gaudio to create Top 10 songs for the Four Seasons.

As a songwriter, Bob Crewe helped create many popular songs. These include "Silhouettes" (with Frank Slay). He also wrote "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", and "Rag Doll" with Bob Gaudio. Other hits were "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Bye, Bye, Baby". He also wrote "My Eyes Adored You" and "Lady Marmalade" with Kenny Nolan. His songs were recorded by many artists like Michael Jackson and Patti LaBelle.

Bob Crewe's Early Life

Bob Crewe was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1930. He grew up in Belleville, New Jersey. From a young age, he showed a talent for art and music. He learned from famous classical composers and jazz artists. These included Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. He also studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City. He thought about becoming an architect.

Bob Crewe's Music Career

Starting Out in the 1950s

In 1953, Bob Crewe met Frank Slay Jr., a pianist. They became partners and wrote several hit songs. They even started a small record label called XYZ. In 1957, they produced "Silhouettes" for the Rays. This song became a big hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It showed Crewe's skill for telling stories in songs. Later, in 1965, the British group Herman's Hermits also had a hit with "Silhouettes".

Another song from that 1957 session was "Daddy Cool". It was the B-side of "Silhouettes". The Diamonds, a Canadian group, covered "Daddy Cool". Their version reached No. 10 on the Billboard charts.

Crewe and Slay then worked with Swan Records. They produced hits for Billy and Lillie, like "Lah Dee Dah" (No. 9 in 1958). They also wrote "Tallahassee Lassie" for Freddy Cannon. Bob Crewe also had his own minor hits as a singer.

Success in the Early 1960s

In the early 1960s, Bob Crewe started working with Bob Gaudio. Gaudio was known for co-writing "Short Shorts". Their first song together was "Sherry". Gaudio wrote it, and Crewe produced it. In 1962, "Sherry" became a No. 1 hit for Gaudio's new band, the Four Seasons. The band was led by Frankie Valli.

Crewe and Gaudio wrote many more No. 1 songs for the Four Seasons. These included "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Rag Doll", and "Walk Like a Man". They also wrote "Ronnie" and "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye)".

The Four Seasons were known for Frankie Valli's amazing voice. He could sing very high, which became a unique sound. Bob Crewe also added special sounds to their songs. These included drum beats and unique instruments. The Four Seasons sold millions of records.

Besides the Four Seasons, Crewe produced songs for other artists. He worked with Dee Dee Sharp and Ben E. King. He also co-wrote and produced "Navy Blue" for Diane Renay. This song reached the Top 10 in 1964.

Mid to Late 1960s Hits

In 1965, Crewe started his own record label, DynoVoice Records. His label had many hits. One early success was with the group the Toys. They were known for "A Lover's Concerto", which reached No. 2. This song used a melody from a classical piece by Bach. Many other artists later recorded this song.

Crewe also discovered a band he renamed Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. Under his guidance, they had eleven Top 100 hits. Their most famous songs were "Devil with a Blue Dress On" (No. 4) and "Sock It to Me, Baby!" (No. 6).

Bob Crewe himself, recording as The Bob Crewe Generation, had a Top 20 hit with "Music to Watch Girls By". This song was originally a commercial jingle. In 1967, Crewe produced and wrote songs for Lesley Gore's album California Nights. The Bob Crewe Generation also created the soundtrack for the movie Barbarella.

In 1967, Crewe and Gaudio had another huge success with "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". Frankie Valli recorded it. The song reached No. 2 and became a gold record. Many artists have covered this song. It has also been featured in many movies, like 10 Things I Hate About You and Bridget Jones's Diary.

In 1969, Crewe worked with singer Oliver. He produced Oliver's hit "Jean". This song was the theme for the movie The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Crewe also produced Oliver's hit "Good Morning Starshine" from the musical Hair.

The 1970s and Disco Era

In the mid-1970s, Bob Crewe got involved in disco music. He wrote and produced for the Eleventh Hour. He also formed the popular disco group Disco-Tex and the ***-O-Lettes. They were known for their 1975 hits "Get Dancin'" and "I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo (Doo Dat Dance)".

In 1975, Crewe and Kenny Nolan wrote two No. 1 songs. These were "My Eyes Adored You" and "Lady Marmalade". "My Eyes Adored You" was sung by Frankie Valli. When his record label didn't want to release it, Crewe bought the rights back. He believed in the song, and it became a huge solo hit for Valli. "Lady Marmalade" also became a No. 1 hit. This song has been used in many movies, like Carlito's Way and The Birdcage.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1984, Crewe worked with Jerry Corbetta and Bob Gaudio again. They wrote "You're Looking Like Love To Me". This song was a Top 100 hit for Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson.

In 1985, Bob Crewe was honored. He was added to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

"Lady Marmalade" was re-recorded in 2001 by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink. Their version was for the movie Moulin Rouge!. It stayed at No. 1 in the U.S. for five weeks. Rolling Stone magazine called "Lady Marmalade" one of the greatest songs of all time.

His song "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is still very popular. In 1999, it was named one of the Top 100 Songs of the Century. It had been played on the radio millions of times.

Besides music, Bob Crewe was also a talented artist. He designed album covers and had art shows.

Since 2005, Bob Crewe has been a character in the musical Jersey Boys. This Broadway show tells the story of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Crewe is credited as the show's lyricist. He used money from the show to start a foundation. This foundation helps support important social causes and brings music and art to children.

Personal Life

Bob Crewe lived in a nursing home in Scarborough, Maine, before he passed away. In April 2014, his charity, the Bob Crewe Foundation, gave $3 million to the Maine College of Art.

Bob Crewe died on September 11, 2014, at age 83. He had been in poor health for several years after a fall.

Selected U.S. Singles (Written and/or Produced by)

Here are some of the hit songs Bob Crewe wrote or produced. These songs reached No. 30 or higher on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

• 1957: "Silhouettes", The Rays, No. 3
• 1957: "Silhouettes", The Diamonds, No. 10
• 1958: "La Dee Dah", Billy & Lillie, No. 9
• 1959: "Lucky Ladybug", Billy & Lillie, No. 14
• 1962: "Sherry", The Four Seasons, No. 1
• 1962: "Big Girls Don't Cry", The Four Seasons, No. 1
• 1963: "Walk Like a Man", The Four Seasons, No. 1
• 1964: "Dawn (Go Away)", The Four Seasons, No. 3
• 1964: "Ronnie", The Four Seasons, No. 6
• 1964: "Navy Blue", Diane Renay, No. 6
• 1964: "Rag Doll", The Four Seasons, No. 1
• 1964: "Save It For Me", The Four Seasons, No. 10
• 1965: "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye)", The Four Seasons, No. 12
• 1965: "Let's Hang On!", The Four Seasons, No. 3
• 1965: "A Lover's Concerto", The Toys, No. 2
• 1965: "Silhouettes", Herman's Hermits, No. 5
• 1965: "Jenny Take A Ride", Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, No. 10
• 1966: "Devil With A Blue Dress On", Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, No. 4
• 1967: "Sock It To Me, Baby", Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, No. 6
• 1967: "Music To Watch Girls By", The Bob Crewe Generation, No. 15
• 1967: "Silence Is Golden", The Tremeloes, No. 11
• 1967: "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You", Frankie Valli, No. 2
• 1969: "Jean", Oliver, No. 2
• 1974: "Lady Marmalade", LaBelle, No. 1
• 1974: "Get Dancin'", Disco Tex & His ***-O-Lettes, No. 10
• 1975: "My Eyes Adored You", Frankie Valli, No. 1
• 1975: "Swearin' To God", Frankie Valli, No. 6
• 2001: "Lady Marmalade", Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink, No. 1