His real name is David. Close. The white jacket was the qualifier. CDs Vinyl. They were brilliant and just being around them and the people who walked in and out  of their office was a college education in  rock music. 0 0 1. That was the beginning of  Jay and The Americans. I  sang along with these kids & started a duo with my neighbor Dave and some other 4 & 5 piece groups.. The song made it into the Top 40, peaking at #25 in the Fall of 1963. The record raced up the Billboard chart and peaked at #4, staying in the Top 40 for eleven weeks. That guy went  across  the street to Columbia Records and got signed that day. Sales. & my guitar to his folks apartment for a rehearsal with the as yet un-named group & I insinuated myself therein.. Some were actually making records with local and sometimes national success. He began performing in theater groups in the Chicago area while in grade school. It was a tune recorded by The Drifters called "Only In America". Spend $75 for Free Shipping * Order by Phone 1-800-336-4627 Your Account Order Status Help. While rehearsing one day in the studio, Kenny Vance brought a song to other's attention. Vote. I loved every second of it. Sydelle, co-captain of the cheerleaders, who also played piano and sounded like Cyndi Lauper, was terrific. Several members of the band stayed in show business in later years. I was now 13 ,and  we moved from Brooklyn to the suburbs. It was Sandy Yaguda ( an original member of his favorite band). . We never crossed paths at that time but…..at that time John, Jay Traynor was filling in as a “Mystic”…. Jay and the Americans were a pop rock group most popular in the 60s and 70s, known for romantic pop hits such as 1969's "This Magic Moment" and 1970's "Walkin' In The Rain". We recorded as The Harborlites. They were almost called Binky Jones & the Americans. Kenny and I, after playing some rock shows with other rock groups, wanted to feel more macho and emulate the other groups who were all male. Jay Traynor was the first leading singer of the Jay and the Americans. Of course with our continued success this became a non-issue…….. Movies & TV Music Vinyl Gifts & Collectibles Books & Magazines. He was...they did...and the rest is butter! On 2-11-1938 Jay Black (nickname: Jay) was born in New York, United States. Favoring the music of his personal idols , such as Roy Orbison, Elvis, Gary Puckett, Gene Pitney, Johnny Maestro and of course his very favorite, Jay and the Americans. Marty Sanders from The Empires joined the group and introduced the others to a powerful singer named David Blatt, who agreed to use the stage name Jay Black. When I got out I started hanging out at the Brill Bldg pursuing songwriting and playing with J & A’s. When four kids from Brooklyn, Sandy Deannne, Jay Traynor, Howie Kane and Kenny Vance went to meet legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, that’s the name the writers proposed. Actually, three of us were talented. That Harborlites record still sounds good, even after all these years,and , believe it or not, that group evolved into Jay and The Americans. Their success was based greatly upon the strong vocals Jay sang so seemingly effortlessly. For more, be sure to read Gary James' Interview With Kenny Vance. In fact, some sources have even alleged the Pope to be a member of the secret society. I made new friends of course but nothing  was as important as the music. And me, the guy who sang back up with Kenny to Sydelle’s lead vocals, and I  also wrote the songs. Funny thing, but the guy who signed The Harborlites, passed on the guy who auditioned right before us. His name was Hank Williams &  I became an instant fan, giving up my piano lessons for a pawn shop guitar (to my mom’s consternation). He joined Kenny and I, and I immediately called Howie to complete the  group. With the name purchase, former members Deanne, Howard Kane, and Marty Sanders reunited and recruited John Reincke, a sound-alike singer from Chicago. Jay and the Americans The Tokens: Background. Kane, Sanders and Deanne are … The musician is currently single, his starsign is Scorpio and he is now 82 years of age. Cart. Hi Jay, I've heard you like our music and I've also heard you sing it quite well.are you playing this weekend? My friends and I would go to an ice cream parlor on Flatbush  Ave and  we pumped quarters into the jukebox . With three original band members, Sandy Yaguda (aka Deane) founding member, Howie Kirschenbaum (aka Kane) original member, and Marty Kupersmith (aka Sanders), original member, plus the addition of “Jay” Reincke, the third Jay and probably the best yet, .. they have recreated the authentic sound of all of . ( a real life “Six Feet Under” ), Working with Jay and The Americans offered fast fame and some fortune. In 2006, Jay Black filed for bankruptcy due to gambling debts, and his ownership of the name "Jay & The Americans" was sold by the bankruptcy trustee to Sandy Deanne (Yaguda), Black's former band mate and original member of Jay & The Americans for $100,000 to pay Black's debts. They say opportunity doesn’t knock twice, but in this case it really does. Howie  (another member of  J & A ’s ) & I would like to hear you sing & we’d like to fly out & see you perform. I retired last year feeling the need to stop taking care of others and start focusing on my own family. The Jay Treaty , signed in 1794 between Great Britain and the United States, provides that American Indians may travel freely across the international boundary. I promptly got up from the table, and dumped my text books into the trash and  broke my parents hearts. One of the most popular groups of the '60s, Jay and the Americans brought a distinctive sound and clean cut image to the music scene. They say opportunity doesn’t knock twice, but in this case it really does. He made his 6 million dollar fortune with Jay & The Americans. Original lead singer Jay Traynor formed two other groups, Great Jones and Friends, and recorded some singles for various labels over the years, but none caught on. Far Rockaway High School. They were the best and hottest song writers and record producers in the business. Marty Sanders pursued writing and Sandy Deane went into producing. Further success followed in 1965: "Let's Lock The Door" [And Throw Away The Key], (#11) "Some Enchanted Evening", (#13) and a song that was Neil Diamond's first big hit as a songwriter, "Sunday and Me" (#18). Jay Reincke, Howie Kane, Marty Sanders and Sandy Deanne, from left, have the rights to the name Jay & the Americans. Jay and the Americans -- Come a Little Bit Closer [Rock] video. We were smart enough or lucky enough to audition for Lieber & Stoller. Just as I was starting college, Our group Jay and The Americans was formed. As an actor, Kenny appeared in Hurly Burly, Billy Bathgate, American Hot Wax, Eddie and The Cruisers, and also appeared in several Woody Allen films. Thus, John "Jay" Reincke became the third "Jay" and the band returned to playing both national and international music venues. Discover releases, reviews, credits, songs, and more about Jay & The Americans - It's My Turn To Cry at Discogs. We’d known each other since birth. I had the good fortune to be born in Brooklyn  NY, 10  blocks from Ebbets Field (home of The Brooklyn Dodgers) at a time when the boys of summer were playing ball. The record rose to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 during an eleven week stay in the Top 40. Two members of Jay And The Americans' backup group during the 1970's, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, moved to the West Coast and formed Steely Dan. Our manager, Jim Gribble, managed all of these boy groups, “The Mystics” were one of those  and Jay, the lead singer was  unhappy  with the way the guys were treating him. Menu. It was at this time that I was asked to be a full partner in Jay & The Americans by their manager Danny Kessler. In 1964, they recorded a tune which had been written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Jay and the Americans were a popular 1960s music group. Everything about the group was clean-cut, from their alpaca sweaters to their well choreographed stage act. Then we’d go outside and sing that song in a storefront with glass windows  to get the echo. Members: Jay Traynor - lead - replaced by Jay Black Sandy Yagoda Kenny Vance Marty Sanders Howie Kane I was hooked. Traynor was the third lead vocalist of the Mystics, singing falsetto on "The White Cliffs of Dover", and lead on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Blue Star". Singer Howie Kane, also working as a mortician, couldn't work on Sundays, when Murray The K had his Coney Island shows, so he dropped out, as did Jay Traynor. Normally that would be the end of Jay And The Americans’ story, but it’s at this point that two members of The Empires joined the band to fill the void left by Traynor, guitarist Marty Sanders and singer David … Over the years,the name Jay and The Americans has not always been considered hip, but I kind of think, its not so corny to be patriotic. They sang Pop Music. He also did some solo recording, placing "Love Is In The Air" on the European charts in 1975. David Blatt continued to tour under his stage name, Jay Black, but his website did not list any shows after 2014. their great hits that everyone remembers. Played  “Whispering Bells” by the Del Vikings over and over. While there are currently sixteen cabinet level positions, George Washington’s original cabinet consisted of only four members. 2018 American Music Awards Photos: Backstage, Performances & More. Being born in Brooklyn at a time when only AM radio existed, didn’t afford me many choices in the music I listened to, but the radio was always on & Mom played the piano & sang.. Dad, by his own admission was tone deaf.. That catchy 'Mexican feel' reappeared on their next hit, "Cara Mia", which was a rather astonishing exercise in sheer top-range vocal power by Black. In college, Jay, a theater arts major, started a tribute band playing 50’s and 60’s music that quickly became a well known,  and popular part of the Chicago music scene. JAY AND THE AMERICANS pays tribute to the late ROY ORBISON with “CRYING,” and no other band in history has sold more copies of the song “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING” than JAY AND THE AMERICANS!!! She stood me on top of the toilet seat and taught me to sing harmony  with her. Our music became a quick sensation and I was saved from entering the family funeral business as a mortician. Kenny Vance recorded some solo albums and became a musical director for TV's Saturday Night Live as well as several Hollywood movies. I got some sage advice from Barry Mann… join the reserves..6 months instead of 18 or more.So late spring of 1961 I joined. Through the years, we periodically met, performed locally, and even sang all together at a reunion concert when we were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2002.. January 8, 2009 at 8:13 PM Jay Black (born David Blatt; 2 November 1938) is an American singer, also known as "The Voice," whose height of fame came in the 1960s when he was the lead singer of the band Jay and the Americans. Songs like "Living Above Your Head" and "French Provincial" couldn't crack the charts. Then, The Beatles introduced teens to the rebellious mop haired look, and suddenly,Jay And The Americans were yesterday's news. Basic training at Fort Dix then on to Colombia South Carolina (Ft Jackson). 324 talking about this. Profile: Inter-racial philly soul pop sound group Formed in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. Their biggest hits are "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" (1967) and "Keep The Ball Rolling" (1967) every single of which sold over than one million copies and earned them gold discs. Jay Treaty (November 19, 1794), agreement that assuaged antagonisms between the United States and Great Britain, established a base upon which America could build a sound national economy, and assured its commercial prosperity. A cabinet is not mandated by either the Constitution or established law. Reincke became the third 'Jay' and the band returned to playing both national and international music venues. I was touched & honored until I discovered that I would be earning less money than as a hired hand! When the seventies came, Jay And The American's music once again went out of style and in 1974, Kenny, Sandy and Marty all quit, leaving Jay Black to the oldies revival tours. Sitting in the candy store cutting classes ,  I heard Dion & The Belmonts  singing “I Wonder Why”, and  I thought to myself,  I want to do that…  So I put my first group together. In 2017, they were still heavily booked across the United States. Atlantic Records had vetoed The Drifter's version because, believe it or not, in the early sixties a Black group was discouraged from singing about becoming President. All. Jay Traynor toured with Jay Siegel's Tokens until shortly before his death on January 2nd, 2014. A number of other hits followed, including 1964's "Come A Little Bit Closer," which quickly climbed to the number 3 spot, and 1965's "Cara Mia," which hit number 4. Jay and the Americans were a pop music group popular in the 1960s. Music started early for me. "She Cried" gained national attention when a West coast D.J. Sandy Yaguda a/k/a Sandy Deanne. On 2-11-1938 Jay Black (nickname: Jay) was born in New York, United States. The musical community of reddit. User account menu. Jay and the Americans were greatly influenced by Leiber and Stoller's work with the Drifters and Ben. Five kids who had white dinner jackets, and weren’t tone deaf. The group found themselves playing smaller and smaller venues until they teamed up with producer, Tommy Kaye to do an album of oldies. I remember laughing out loud at the name but I also remember that he said I could rejoin them upon my release from the reserves. AMAs. The musician is currently single, his starsign is Scorpio and he is now 82 years of age. Kane, Sanders and Deanne … News and Features. Two members of Jay And The Americans' backup group during the 1970's, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, moved to the West Coast and formed Steely Dan. locked himself in the booth a played the song for four straight hours. His name was Johnny Mathis and the first album he released was “ Wonderful Wonderful.”...Ooopps. "It's all about enjoying the music." She played all kinds of  records in the house. Jay and The Americans. Jay Black has always been a mix of tough guy and class clown, even before he was a Jay or Black. Kenny Vance went on to become the lead singer of Kenny Vance And The Planotones, a neo-Doo Wop band that he formed in the 1970s. Jay & … One day Howie invited me  (or I invited myself.. who remembers?) At about the same time, another form of music was being born out of the Black Race Music & kids my age were singing their versions on street corners, subways and hallways. Their initial lineup consisted of John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane (né Kirschenbaum), Kenny Vance (né Rosenberg) and Sandy Deanne (né Yaguda), though their … The group stayed with the oldies and released one final hit, "Walkin' In The Rain", which reached #19 in early 1970. Simultaneous to getting a record deal with Dave as the “Two Chaps”, there was another group “The Harborlites”, with Sandy, Kenny, & Sydelle signed to the same label, Ivy Records. Complete your Jay & The Americans collection. Press J to jump to the feed. With Jay Black at the helm, Jay and the Americans returned to the airwaves with the song "Only In America," which made it to the number 25 position on the chart. I was dragged along  because there was no one to watch me. Sadly I left my best friend Howie behind. Prior to this, he had been the lead singer of the Mystics. And then it happened, it took him by surprise. They.wrote for and recorded amongst others, The Drifters, who were our favorite group. He also toured the oldies circuit for a while as Jay Traynor And The Americans and by the Summer of 2001, was singing with The Joey Thomas Band, a Jazz / Big Band group that recorded a Grammy nominated album called "The Sinatra Show". Marty Sanders pursued writing and Sandy Deane went into producing. By the time high school rolled around, he was singing & playing the guitar. Gifts. founding member of Jay and the Americans Kenny Vance (born December 9, 1943 in Brooklyn as Kenneth Rosenberg [1] ) is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer who was an original founding member of Jay and the Americans . I soaked it up like a sponge. Books Magazines. Married 16 years to my second wife, I have three children ( ages Justin 33 who lives in California, Sam age 15, and newly adopted Sarah who is 5 years old and has been dubbed the group’s mascot). Given the group's name, he suggested they record it too. American actress Angelina Jolie, pop icons Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Jay Z and Kanye West are a few noteworthy names who apparently belong to the illuminati. I remember sitting in the cafeteria at Hofstra College and hearing our first  big hit “She Cried” being announced as  # 3 on the top 10 charts. He made his 6 million dollar fortune with Jay & The Americans. See Jay & The Americans pictures, photo shoots, and listen online to the latest music. 0. Normally that would be the end of Jay And The Americans’ story, but it’s at this point that two members of The Empires joined the band to fill the void left by Traynor, guitarist Marty Sanders and … A song originally recorded by their old friends, The Drifters, called "This Magic Moment" took off like a rocket and went to #6 on the Billboard Pop chart, selling over two million copies in 1968. Jay Reincke, Howie Kane, Marty Sanders and Sandy Deanne, from left, have the rights to the name Jay & the Americans. I  was proud of  us too. When we came home,  my sister would practice and I would practice with her. MEMBERS: John "Jay" Traynor replaced by David "Jay" Black replaced by John "Jay" Reincke - Vocals Sandy Yaguda - Vocals Sidell Sherman - Vocals Kenny Vance - Vocals Howie Kane - Vocals Marty Sanders - Guitar "It's all about enjoying the music." Jay Reincke was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 6, 1954. That was it. Jay and the Americans were already a group when he joined them in … 324 talking about this. Howie Kane Original Member of Jay and The Americans. The wire services picked up on the story and the song and the group gained national attention. The Triology of JayandtheAmericans | Bios. I had already gotten a songwriting contract with Hill & Range music. Actually  John was his birth name but since his dad was also John Reincke, his parents, wanting to avoid confusion in the house, immediately nicknamed him Jay. 27.0m members in the Music community. From 1962 to 1971, this group charted an amazing twelve Top Ten records. Jay and the Americans … Federalist leaders had feared that disputes with Great Britain would lead to … “Is That Too Much To Ask” was my favorite. The Americans changed some of the offending lyrics like, "Only in America, do they make you sit in the back of the bus..." and released it in August of 1963. Jay & the Americans. After their first hit, the band went through some changes. Belle Harbor in Queens. I sang, traveled the world, and enjoyed many successes with the group but unfortunately I left them to pursue other interests ( Really, I had to leave due to a severe drug and alcohol addiction ). His real name is David. Their initial lineup consisted of Howard Kane (born Kirschenbaum), John (J.T.) *John Jay, Secretary of State, September 26, 1789 - March 22, 1790 . E. King in the early to the mid-60s. DVDs Blu-ray VHS. Their initial line-up consisted of John "Jay" Traynor , Howard Kane ( né Kirschenbaum), Kenny Vance (né Rosenberg) and Sandy Deanne (né Yaguda), though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black . Although I remained in touch with band buddies Jay Traynor, Kenny Vance, and Marty Kupersmith, it was the dream of my oldest and best friend Sandy Yaguda that we try to reunite and take our name back. I have worked for nearly 20 years counseling adolescents and adults who suffered from similar addictions. Over the years,the name Jay and The Americans has not always been considered hip, but  I kind of think, its not so corny to be patriotic. Posted by just now. Belle Harbor, Queens, New York, New York, United States Jay and the Americans were a pop rock group most popular in the 60s and 70s, known for romantic pop hits such as 1969's " This Magic Moment " and 1970's " Walkin' In The Rain ". Later on with the success of the band they were proud of  us. 0. Jay & The Techniques. They had hopes of my  becoming a doctor. And then, as if someone heard our dreams, opportunity knocked once more when a situation presented itself and presto  we now have our name back, fair and square. Vote. By then, each member had a good idea of what he wanted to do, and mostly it didn't involve Jay & the Americans as they'd been known. Under the treaty and corresponding legislation, Native Indians born in Canada are entitled to freely enter the United States for the purpose of employment, study, retirement, investing, and/or immigration . Their second effort though was to be their breakthrough. Tonight wasn’t a hit but Lieber & Stoller didn’t give up & I wound up singing with them on their recording of  the She Cried Album though my picture isn’t on the jacket and I  have no name credit.. WE were doing local record hops and TV shows when we got word that a Baltimore DJ  Fat Daddy had broken She Cried. Their initial lineup consisted of Howard Kane (born Kirschenbaum), John (J.T.) The pair wanted Jay to become known as “Binky Jones” rather than “Jay” but eventually relented as Traynor made it clear he did not wish to be k… But then came the music…. ... 2018 AMAs Red Carpet: See the Photos. Hanging out with Tony Orlando, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. I became somewhat of an anachronism wandering around on my bike, guitar on my back committing attempted sideburns & looking for other like-minded kids or trying to make converts. I can remember harmonizing in my crib.. One day while searching the dial on the radio, I was held captive by the plaintive honesty of a guy singing a country song. At the young age of 17, I never expected, that I’d go from singing in my best friends basement in Rockaway, on a trip that still hasn’t ended. One day in october of 2006, Jay got a phone call...A long distance call from new york. Other than Elvis, who they wrote for, we were the first white act they signed and produced records for. Complete song listing of Jay & The Americans on OLDIES.com. Kenny who could sing a  high or low harmony as good or better than anybody I’ve ever heard. JAY AND THE AMERICANS, started by four teenage boys in Sandy Yaguda’s Brooklyn basement fifty years ago, is one of the lasting success stories in Rock 'n Roll history. 0. Bessie Smith, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, The Pied Pipers featuring Frank Sinatra,, Lena Horne, The Four Freshmen , were all  played constantly Also a lot of blues, we both loved the blues. I was five, and my older sister was on the way to becoming  a professional singer. My young career seemed rosy, but war was looming on several fronts & I was in danger of being drafted. His departure from the Americans is detailed on the band’s website:Much of the band’s early material was produced by the legendary duo of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Later, he started Jay and the Americans with Kenny Vance and Sandy Yaguda, and was the … His band successfully played the Chicago scene for thiry years. Jay and The Americans. While down there I got a letter from Howie saying  he & the guys had been signed by our heros, Lieber & Stoller & given the name “ Jay & The Americans” and their first release was Tonight from West Side Story. Kenny Vance recorded some solo albums and became a musical director for TV's Saturday Night Liveas well as several Hollywood movies. - Jay and the Americans - Jay and the Americans Most sang acapella but with my guitar they had an added benefit so I was always welcomed. Jay and the Americans was one of the few successful groups to spend their entire career with one record label: all of their thirty-two singles and LPs were with United Artists. Sandy Yaguda  a/k/a Sandy Deanne. For me personally, the idea of working again with my best friends is not only exciting, but it’s a chance to share our hit records ( 12 top ten records ) and new music as well  with our oldest and newest fans.. From Burt Bacharach & Hal David to Carole King and Jerry Goffen,  Phil Spector The Coasters, Doc Pomus and Mort Schuman and on and on. Howie K & I were friends and fellow college students & he was now singing with his old neighborhood buddy, Sandy along with Kenny and J. Traynor on leads. Trayn… read more The original members were John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane, Kenny Vance, and Sandy Deanne. Ironically, after sobering up and entering a 12 step program, I went back to college. I was into listening to the  radio and discovering my own taste . We actually got signed and had our records  played on the radio quite a bit locally. Buying records and playing guitar and singing and writing songs. Few bands have ever reached the musical heights of JAY AND THE AMERICANS. Jay Black has always been a mix of tough guy and class clown, even before he was a Jay or Black. She was taken every day after school by my mom to the city, (NYC) for all kinds of singing and dancing lessons. Jay and the Americans were a pop music group popular in the 1960s. "Come A Little Bit Closer" climbed all the way to #3 on the national charts and solidified the group's reputation as one that was capable of producing hits. In 2006, Jay Black filed for bankruptcy and his ownership of the name Jay And The Americans was sold to Sandy Deanne (Yaguda), Black's former band mate, for $100,000. When he saw us at our first out of town gig at the Rocket Room in DC he said “I thought you guys were black”. Group Members David "Jay" Black Howie Kane Jay Traynor Kenny Vance Marty Sanders Sandy Yaguda Their initial line-up consisted of John "Jay" Traynor , Howard Kane ( né Kirschenbaum), Kenny Vance (né Rosenberg) and Sandy Deanne (né Yaguda), though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black . How prophetic . It was a privilege, & they were my first Rock Stars. Traynor , Kenny Vance (born Rosenberg), and Sandy Yaguda .