Artist:Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes
Song:Get Dancin'
Album:Native New Yorker: Disco Classics
The 1974 top ten hit Get Dancin' was one of two hit singles by Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes. This was one of the screwier remnants of the disco era. The whole thing was a studio concoction by veteran producer Bob Crewe. The frontman called himself Monti Rock III. He didn't sing so I won't call him a lead singer. The backup singers were led by professional backup singer Cindy Bullens. Monti Rock III was born Joseph Montanez Jr. May 29, 1942 in The Bronx, NY. He is of Puerto Rican descent. He started doing the Monti Rock character on 60s talk shows like The Tonight Show. Crewe may have seen Rock perform in Las Vegas and thought he could build an act around him. Rock's shtick was androgynous so that fit very well into the emerging disco market. The 1975 album that produced Get Dancin' was not just Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes. It's supposed to be a revue similar to The Johnny Otis Show from the 50s. It is misspelled "review" on the album cover. So along with Get Dancin, There are songs by Jerry Corbetta of Sugarloaf, 50s singer LuAnn Simms, 60s singer Freddie Cannon and variations on the Sex-O-Lettes that look like filler. Of course the big surprise was when Get Dancin' reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo reached #23. Then they had to turn Monti Rock III into a live act so he could appear on TV. Cindy Bullens worked on the album so she wrangled the backup singers. Crewe wrote and produced the album with longtime partner Denny Randell. Get Dancin' was co-written by Chelsea Records house producer Kenny Nolan. Get Dancin' is on this BMG various artists budget comp. Crewe did not produce the other two Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes albums. Kenny Nolan produced the second one and Chelsea owner Wes Farrell produced the third. And then Chelsea was swallowed up by RCA in 1977 and that was the end of Disco-Tex and his Sex-O-Lettes. According to his Facebook, Monti Rock III is now an ordained minister. I guess he's atoning for his sins. Just kidding. Here's Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes performing Get Dancin' on Top Of The Pops Dec. 12, 1974.
I heard this song a lot on the FM radio in the late 70's during the Disco era. I never knew who did this song. Thank-you very much Frank for the information. By the way I like the beginning of the video with the introduction by Jimmy Savile. I have heard a great deal about him. None of it good. Thanks again Frank.
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