I see they are performing a free concert this Friday at 7 pm in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield. Jeanne and I saw them perform live at Upsala College around 66 or 67. I remember the tickets were $2.00 and we sat in the basketball bleachers to the right side of the stage. Jay made some sarcastic remarks about the sixe of the audiance, it was only about two thirds full.
Guess the ticket prices were too high!
Two years ago we saw Miss Leslie Gore and she graciously met individually with fans after the show. I was and am a big fan and it was a thrill getting her autograph.
"Come a little bit closer" and "Cara Mia" are still two of my favorite songs.
I just heard on the radio, within the last month or so, that Jay Black (not his real name) had to sell the name 'Jay and the Americans' and was forbidden to use the name Jay Black due to money he owed the federal government in back taxes. Another group of guys will continue performing under the name, but without the original Jay. Pretty much like many of the old do-op group still performing without any of their original members.
Took the family in the boat last night to see Jay Black and the Americans off Windward Beach in Brick. Voice is still decent. It was a good free concert and the fireworks were great!
I recall seeing Jay Black on one of those Doo-Wop specials on PBS, the kind they usually run during Pledge Week. He was not a bad showman. Before he sang "Cara Mia" he announced that he wasn't quite sure if he could hit the high note in that song "after all these years." Which was all bull, of course, because he nailed it.
Speaking of "Cara Mia," I remember back in the late '60s there was a show on WBAI-FM called "Techy Time," on which all sorts of odd songs, sound pastiches and what-not were played. One week they played "Cara Mia" but it had been spliced together in such a way that that famous high note went on for about a minute by itself. It was a riot. Of course, I may have just been hallucinating.
Carol,
Are they any relation to Gary LaQuaglia? Essex Catholic '72 or '73? Gary was one of the strongest guys I ever saw--could dead lift like 600 lbs in high school. Ask JMcC
I saw and heard the same show from the front of the bandstand. I thought he stunk up the place. His son did a good job however but "Jay" should retire!
