CAPE MAY – The Cape May Summer Concert Series continues to bring the heat to music lovers at the Jersey Shore, as Vocal Group Hall of Fame members Jay and the Americans take the stage on Wednesday, July 26. The show will be held at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., Cape May, beginning at 8 p.m.
After having a local hit in the New York area with a cover of “Tonight” from West Side Story, Jay and the Americans gained notoriety and a Top 10 hit with “She Cried,” a song that was actually the B-side of another record, “Dawning.” The song’s success led to the recording of the “She Cried” album and a number of performance opportunities. After replacing their lead singer, the group returned to the charts with “Only In America” in 1963 and “Come A Little Bit Closer,” which hit the Number 3 spot in 1964. The group’s string of hits led to a spot on The Beatles’ first American tour and a chance to play Carnegie Hall with The Rolling Stones. After thrilling concert crowds with their version of “Cara Mia,” Jay and the Americans recorded the ballad, which became their third Top 10 hit.
Jay and the Americans appeared in the 1966 beach party comedy film, Wild Wild Winter, singing “Two of a Kind” during the film’s finale. In 1969, the group formed its own production company, JATA, recording the Sands of Time album as tribute to Alan Freed and the music that had influenced them. Their version of The Drifters’ “This Magic Moment” became the group’s bestselling hit, as well as the most successful version of the song. After releasing their Wax Museum album and singles “Capture The Moment” and “There Goes My Baby,” the group disbanded in 1974. Even after the breakup, the group continued to top charts, as their version of “Cara Mia” reached Number 1 in the Netherlands when it was re-released in 1980.
In 2006, original band member Sandy Yaguda purchased the rights to the name “Jay and the Americans” from David Blatt, the group’s second lead vocalist, who had been performing under the name since the breakup. After recruiting their third lead singing “Jay,” Jay and the Americans returned to thrill audiences in national and international performance venues.
Tickets for this and all other summer concerts are $42 for reserved seats and can be purchased in person at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., or online at DiscoverCapeMayNJ.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capemaycity and follow us on Twitter @capemaycity. For more information, call (609) 884-9563 or (609) 884-9565.