RIP Jay Black

[Jake from State Farm]

Jay Black, Jay and the Americans Singer, Dead at 82

 

[maumann]

RIP, Jay.

Originally David Blatt, he changed his name to Jay Black when he replaced John "Jay" Traynor as the Jay in Jay and the Americans.

He was that incredible, powerful voice behind "Cara Mia" and "This Magic Moment," in addition to "Only in America" and "Come A Little Bit Closer." In an era when pop lyrics were somewhat unintelligible, Jay Black, Roy Orbison and Tom Jones stood out for their vocal range and prowess.

And after he lost the rights to the band name in bankruptcy court, members of the original band hired a third Jay for reunion shows.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

My Mom was a big fan and met him one time at a restaurant. He signed an autograph for her and she said he was really nice. RIP.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

And millions of today’s kids discovered Jay and the Americans with this awesomely funny killing scene in Guardians of the Galaxy 2:

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Come A Little Bit Closer is an obvious ripoff of El Paso but it’s such a great song who cares