ABOUT
Jay & The Americans are a highly acclaimed pop/rock vocal group with close-knit harmonies and a flair for romantic ballads that became famous during the 1960s. Best known for the Top 5 smashes, "She Cried" (1962), "Come A Little Bit Closer" (1964), and "Cara, Mia" (1965), their long string of hits also includes "Only In America" (1963), "Let's Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key)" (1964), "Some Enchanted Evening" (1965), "Sunday And Me" (1965), "Crying" (1966), "This Magic Moment" (1968), and "Walkin' In The Rain" (1969).
Formed in the late 1950s in Queens, New York, the original lineup consisted of Howard "Howie" Kane (June 6, 1941 - March 2023), Kenny Vance (b. 1943), Sandy Deanne (b. 1943), and lead singer John "Jay" Traynor (March 30, 1943 - January 2, 2014). Traynor left in 1962 after "She Cried" became a hit, and Jay Black (b. David Blatt, November 2, 1938 - October 22, 2021), who took over as lead singer, and Marty Sanders joined the group later that year. Black's soaring, operatic bari-tenor voice was a key component of the group's sound; his remarkable range and vocal control, influenced by his cantorial background, are famously showcased in such hits as "Cara, Mia."
At the height of their fame, the group made frequent TV appearances and opened for The Beatles at their first U.S. concert in 1964. After their split in 1973, all of the members went on to solo careers and Jay Black continued performing under the band's name until 2006, when he sold the trademark to Sandy Deanne during bankruptcy proceedings. Deanne and other former members, Howie Kane and Marty Sanders, then began performing again as Jay & The Americans with Jay Reincke as lead singer and have continued to tour actively to the present day, with some personnel changes over the years.
Jay & The Americans were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
LINKS
- For more info, visit jayandtheamericans.com.
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SONGS
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Jay And The Americans
- Cara, Mia 1965
- Come A Little Bit Closer 1964
- Let's Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key) 1964
- Only In America 1963
- She Cried 1962
(This son later also became a hit for the Shangri-Las (1966, as "He Cried") and the Lettermen (1970).) - Some Enchanted Evening 1965
(This song later also became a hit for Jane Olivor (1977).) - Sunday And Me 1965
- This Magic Moment 1968
(This song was previously a hit for the Drifters (1960).) - Walkin' In The Rain 1969
(This song was previously a hit for the Ronettes (1964).)
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