March 12, 2011

Bob Crewe Belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!

March 12th, 2011

Bob Crewe

Goldmine Magazine is featuring a series on artists who should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but are not.

Writer Phill Marder notes that Bob Crewe is one of rock and pop music’s greatest writers and producers, but has thus far been ignored by the R&R Hall of Fame. Marder states that this is a “terrible injustice” and truly, I couldn’t agree more!

In his article, Marder not only mentions Crewe’s phenomenal contributions as co-writer and producer of many of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ hits, but also his amazing involvement in the writing and/or production of many of Rock & Roll’s greatest recordings by other artists as well. Check out a sample of Crewe’s accomplishments:

  • In 1957, Crewe and his then writing partner Frank Slay Jr. put together a double-sided monster called “Silhouettes” and “Daddy Cool” for The Rays.
  • Still paired with Slay, Crewe did it again, coming up with a pair of hits for Billy Ford and Lillie Bryant, who, as Billy and Lillie, scored with “La Dee Dah” and “Lucky Ladybug.”
  • Crewe and Slay then unleashed Freddy Cannon with a string of some of the heaviest, raw records in the history of rock music, including “Tallahassee Lassie.”
  • Crewe produced Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels’ recordings and was involved in the writing of the hits “Jenny Take A Ride” and Sock It To Me, Baby!”
  • Crewe has also worked on productions with The Orlons, Dee Dee Sharp, Ben E. King and Diane Renay, penning Renay’s big hit “Navy Blue,” The Toys, Eddie Rambeau, Oliver and Lesley Gore, among others.
  • With Kenny Nolan, Crewe wrote Frankie Valli’s 1975 chart-topper, “My Eyes Adored You,” in addition to Labelle’s classic “Lady Marmalade,” another No. 1 success that same year.

Crewe rightfully became known to industry insiders as “The Boy Genius.” In 1985, he was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

So why hasn’t Bob Crewe received similar recognition from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Mr. Crewe will be celebrating his 80th birthday later this year and it is high time that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognizes his phenomenal accomplishments!

1 Comment »

  1. It is about time that Bob Crewe get recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a great producer and song writer. Hopefully the nominating committee will wake up.

    Comment by Marty Hoffer — March 14, 2011 @ 6:55 pm

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