Jay And The Americans
This US act was formed in 1961 when former Mystics vocalist John "Jay" Traynor (b. 2 November 1938) joined ex-Harbor Lites duo Kenny Rosenberg, aka Kenny Vance, and Sandy Yaguda, aka Sandy Deane. Howie Kane (b. Howard Kerschenbaum) completed the line-up, which in turn secured a recording deal through the aegis of the songwriting and production team, Leiber And Stoller. Jay And The Americans scored a US number 5 hit in March 1962 with their second single, the dramatic "She Cried", but a series of misses exacerbated tension within the group and Traynor left for a low-key solo career. Bereft of a lead vocalist, the remaining trio recruited David "Jay" Black (b. David Blatt, 2 November 1938) from the Empires. Dubbed "Jay" to infer continuity, Black introduced fifth member Marty Saunders (guitar) to the line-up, and the following year established his new role with the powerful "Only In America' (US number 25, August 1963). Initially intended for the Drifters, the song's optimism was thought hypocritical for a black act and the Americans" vocal was superimposed over the original backing track.
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Albums
- (2004) Sands Of Time & Wax Museum
- (2004) Come A Little Bit Closer
- (1994) Greatest Hits
- (1990) Come A Little Bit Closer: The Best Of Jay And The Americans
Top Tracks
- This Magic Moment
- Come a Little Bit Closer
- Cara Mia
- She Cried
- Walkin' In the Rain
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