Jay and the Americans, a popular male vocal group during the 1960s, wasn’t a hit factory on the charts (although four of the band’s records made the Top Ten), but their clean-cut look and sound attracted record buyers and live audiences the world over. Lead singer Jay Black (born David Blatt), known as “The Voice” for his crooning, doo-wop-inspired vocals, died October 22 at the age of 82. Originally called Binky Jones and the Americans by record label United Artists, the group was rechristened using the nickname of the first of three lead vocalists, John Traynor. They cut their first song from West Side Story.
Tonight, January 1962
Tonight didn’t chart because of Ferrante and Teicher’s instrumental version, but it was a smash in NYC and set the stage for the years to come. John “Jay” Traynor, who left the doo-wop group The Mystics in 1959, started up his own, Harbor Lights, that made two lightweight singles before the Americans formed a year later. Their next record with Jay Traynor’s voice was a huge 1962 summertime hit.
She Cried, #5 in March 1962
Although a hit, She Cried would be their only chartbuster for the next several tries. At this point, Jay Traynor quit and went out on his own. Enter one David Blatt, formerly with The Empires, who changed his name to Jay Black to secure the Jay and the Americans moniker. His first contribution was a tune provided by producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1963.
Only In America, #25 in August 1963
Only in America was originally meant for The Drifters, but Atlantic Records thought it inappropriate for the Black group and gave it to Jay and the Americans, who used The Drifters’ backing track and attached their own vocals. It was the first recording with Jay Black, but it would be a year before their next noticeable recording. Of the songs they recorded at this point, few reached the Top One Hundred. Until the Latin-themed Come a Little Bit Closer.
Come A Little Bit Closer, #3 in September 1964
Closer set up a row of hits with a similar theme. Writer Wes Farrell produced the Americans’ next two hits as well, and carried the group through the first half of 1965.
Let’s Lock The Door, #11 in December 1964
At this point, Jay Black was becoming known as “The Voice,” being compared with Roy Orbison, Gene Pitney, Kenny Vance and Howie Kane.
Think Of The Good Times, #57 in March 1965
in the Spring of ’65, Jay and the Americans went into the studio and recorded David Whitfield’s 1954 opera-styled hit Cara Mia. Starting with this song, the group extended its life covering successful oldies. You have to hear the ending to appreciate Jay Black’s strong tenor voice.
Cara Mia, #4 in June 1965
Continuing the opera theme, the group delved into the treasure trove of songs written by Rodgers and Hammerstein and decided upon Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific, pretty heady move in 1965.
Some Enchanted Evening, #13 in September 1965
The group’s next song came from a new songwriter who’d been assigned to the Brill Building. Sunday and Me was written by Neil Diamond. It would be a few months before Diamond would become the singing sensation he turned out to be with his recording of Solitary Man.
Sunday and Me, #18 in November 1965
Jay and the Americans suffered a bit during the latter part of the ’60s competing with garage bands and the sounds of psychedelia. They had a difficult time securing original hits, instead relying on oldies but goodies that were previous hits. They covered Roy Orbison’s Crying, When You Dance, Hushabye, Walking in the Rain. Their last big hit came in 1968-69 with another Drifters’ tune: This Magic Moment, perfectly arranged for Black’s voice.
This Magic Moment, #6 in December 1968
Jay Black and the band members parted ways in 1973, with Black continuing to tour with a variety of musicians as Jay and the Americans. In 2006, the band’s name was sold to former band members who recruited a different lead singer—John “Jay” Reincke—who became the third “Jay”
Why Can’t You Bring Me Home, #63 in February 1966
Crying, #25 in May 1966
Living Above Your Head, #76 in July 1966
Hushabye, #62 in May 1969
Walkin’ In The Rain, #19 in November 1969
Capture the Moment, #57 in March 1970