Jay and The Americans
JAY AND THE AMERICANS, started by four teenage boys in Sandy Yaguda's basement in 1961, is one of the lasting success stories in Rock 'N' Roll history. Few bands have ever reached the height of Jay and the Americans. From 1962–1971, this group charted an amazing five Billboard Top 10 hits and twelve Top 20 hit records.
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Comprised of founding member Sandy Yaguda (aka Sandy Deanne), original member Marty Kupersmith (aka Marty Sanders), Darren Dowler (former lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders), Lenie Colacino (who portrayed Paul McCartney in the Broadway production of Beatlemania), along with the astounding lead vocals of Jay Reincke and the backing of the fantastic USA Band, they faithfully recreate the authentic sound of their greatest hit songs.
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JAY AND THE AMERICANS' first recording was "Tonight" (from the musical West Side Story), but their breakout hit was "She Cried." Their next chart hit was "Only in America," followed by "Come a Little Bit Closer" and "Cara Mia," both of which reached the Billboard Top 10 during the height of the British Invasion. On February 11, 1964, JAY AND THE AMERICANS opened for The Beatles during their first live concert appearance in the United States. They also performed in concert with The Rolling Stones.
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The hits continued with the group earning the distinction of recording Neil Diamond's hit song "Sunday and Me," while their recording of "Crying" pays tribute to the legendary Roy Orbison, with whom they toured. Their version of "Some Enchanted Evening" holds the record for the most copies ever sold of this musical masterpiece. The group continued their success in the late '60s with "This Magic Moment," a Top 10 hit, and into the early '70s with the beautiful "Walkin' in the Rain." These songs are featured in JAY AND THE AMERICANS' show, along with stories of the artists and songwriters who influenced this iconic '60s supergroup.
In 2002, JAY AND THE AMERICANS were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, cementing their place among the greatest vocal groups in Rock and Roll history.