NICE — Jay and the Americans will be performing at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino, 1545 East Highway 20. Tickets are $25. The venue phone number is ( 800) 809-3636, and its Web site is www.rrrc.com.
Jay and the Americans was started by four teenage boys in Sandy Yaguda”s Brooklyn, N.Y. basement 40 years ago. From 1962 until 1971, Jay and the Americans had an unprecedented 12 top 10 records. Featured are three original members: Sandy Yaguda (aka Deane), Howie Kirschenbaum (aka Kane) and Marty Kupersmith (aka Sanders), plus Jay Reincke, the third Jay (and probably the best yet!)
Jay and the Americans” first record was “Tonight” from the Broadway musical, “West Side Story.” Their breakout hit was “She Cried,” and then came “Only In America,” which was followed by top ten hits: “Come A Little Bit Closer,” “This Magic Moment,” and “Cara Mia.”
The group paid tribute to the late Roy Orbison with “Crying,” and sold more copies of the song “Some Enchanted Evening,” which was in the Broadway musical, SOUTH PACIFIC. Then Jay and the Americans recorded Neil Diamond”s “Sunday And Me,” “Hushabye,” “Walkin” In the Rain,” and “This Magic Moment.” The group has toured with Roy Orbison, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
In 2002, Jay and the Americans was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, placing the singers among the greatest vocal groups in rock ”n” roll history.
Marty Sanders has written songs with Joan Jett, and co-recorded her “Bad Reputation” in the movie, SHREK. Sandy Deane produced BEATLEMANIA and other music projects, and Howie has had a solo career, and been involved with many other film and TV projects in acting and as a music supervisor.
Currently the group is in production for a new album, with Gary Katz (Steely Dan) as producer. A single “Little Senorita” is currently available for streaming at www.jayandtheamericans.net. (Steely Dan”s Water Becker and Donald Fagen were in Jay and the Americans” backing band in the 1960s, as was David Bromberg).
