Bob Crewe - Early Years

Early Years

Reared in Belleville, New Jersey, Crewe demonstrated an early and apparent gift for both art and music. Although lacking in formal musical training, he instinctively gravitated to learning from many of the great 19th and 20th century classical romantic composers as well as giants of jazz and swing, including Stan Kenton, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey. He studied for almost a year at Parsons School of Design in New York City with the intention of eventually pursuing a career in architecture.

After a European trip as a young man, Crewe returned to the U.S. and landed a succession of recording contracts as a solo singing artist. Although he was an attractive and strong singer, his gifts as a songwriter and entrepreneur were to bring him his greatest attention, success and acclaim.