Jay Black, leader and lead vocalist with the 60’s group Jay & The Americans, passed away Friday night from pneumonia at the age of 82. Black had also suffered from dementia.
Jay is the primary voice heard on a string of 60’s hits from “This Magic Moment” to “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “Cara Mia” and “Only in America.” Jay & The Americans had 21 chart singles and they were the opening act for The Beatles’ very first U.S. concert in Washington D.C. on February 11th, 1964.
Black’s smooth operatic voice is heard on a string of hits in the '60s, including “Only in America,” “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “Cara Mia,” “This Magic Moment” and “Walkin’ in the Rain.”
The singer, born David Blatt, used the stage name David Black when he replaced original singer Jay Trainor in Jay & the Americans in 1962, so he changed his name to Jay Black.
Black is survived by four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The family has said that fans continue to celebrate Black’s life by enjoying their recordings.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]