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| Grey & Hanks |
| The Chicago-based performing and songwriting team Zane Grey and Len Ron Hanks wrote songs for Jerry Butler in the early 1970's before moving to Los Angeles in 1976.
The duo scored big hits as composers in the 1970's with L.T.D.'s "Back In Love Again" and Tavares' "Never Had A Love Like This Before," as well as having Millie Jackson, Norman Connors, Lenny Williams and Mystique, among countless others, record their tunes. They got their own solo deal with RCA in 1978. Their first album, "You Fooled Me," yielded three top club hits in 1979. The first 12" single was the title cut which quickly established the duo as premiere artists. The second 12" single, "Dancin," scored even better and reached number eight on the R&B charts as well. The third single, "Gotta Put Something In" didn't fare as well and suffered from poor promotion and the lack of a good mix. They made one more album for RCA Records, "Prime Time," in 1980. It featured one 12" single, "Now I'm Fine." But the disco backlash was in full force and both the album and single sank faster than the Titanic. The duo went back to what they did best, writing and producing for other artists. Both albums, as well as their 12" single counterparts, are all highly sought-after collector's items, perhaps a smart record company will package them together on a single compact disc? |
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