Slay, Frank C., Jr., 1930-2017

Frank Conley Slay, Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas on July 8, 1930. He graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, and then attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a business degree in 1951, although he also played the piano. Slay then moved to New York City, where he met Bob Crewe in 1953. They charted multiple hits as a songwriting duo in the late 1950s, including "Silhouettes" and "Daddy Cool." The Rays had the initial hits with these songs, which the Canadian group The Diamonds also released with success. In 1961, Slay relocated to Philadelphia, collaborating with Dick Clark to publish hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Slay also worked as an orchestra leader during this time, and as a producer for Freddy Cannon. He returned to New York in 1963 and subsequently moved to Los Angeles to work as an independent producer, and he produced the hit "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock. Slay moved to San Diego in later years, and died there on September 30, 2017.