The 1970s
The Bob Crewe Generation reappeared as a chart act briefly in the mid-1970s, recording material for the disco era. The Generation's 1970 LP Let Me Touch You, including covers of Henry Mancini's "Moon River" and "Two For The Road", remains a favorite of lounge music collectors. In 1975, Crewe wrote and produced disco material for The Eleventh Hour who had dance club success with at least three releases on 20th Century Records: "Hollywood Hot" (45 rpm single, number: TC-2215), "Bumper to Bumper" and "Sock It To Me/It’s Your Thing".
In the mid-seventies, Crewe formed with Sir Monti Rock III the disco club favorites Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes, best known for their 1975 successes "Get Dancin'" and "I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo". The group is referenced by Elvis Costello in his song "Invasion Hit Parade" and by The Pet Shop Boys in their song "Electricity."
In 1977, Crewe recorded in Memphis a solo album at the insistence of producer Jerry Wexler, who had been an early mentor of his. Barry Beckett co-produced. The album, entitled Motivation, was a showcase for his singing voice. Although the album did not achieve chart success, it included the great ballad "Marriage Made In Heaven" -- a collaboration between Crewe and Kenny Nolan. The song later became popular with Carolina Beach bands.. The album also produced the song "It Took a Long Time (For The First Time In My Life)," also recorded by Patti Labelle.
Crewe had previously written two other hit singles with Nolan, which became back-to-back #1 records in 1975. "My Eyes Adored You" was produced by Crewe and performed by Frankie Valli with the Four Seasons. When the record label balked at releasing it, Crewe, certain of its quality and hit potential, bought back the rights for $4000. Despite widespread rejections from music industry pundits, the song became a smash solo hit for Valli, was the #1 chart-topping song of the year.
Another memorable and enduring Bob Crewe-Kenny Nolan collaboration, "Lady Marmalade," recorded by Labelle, became notorious for its sexually provocative, New Orleans-inflected chorus, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?" The song became a radio and dance club sensation. It achieved status as the #1 chart-topper of 1975 and has since been used in numerous motion pictures including Cheech and Chong's The Corsican Brothers, Beethoven, Carlito's Way, The Birdcage, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Semi-Pro.
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