The guys auditioned for the seminal music team of Leiber and Stoller, who gave the group its name in 1960. In the manner of the time, Leiber and Stoller wanted to extend this to "Binky Jones and the Americans", but Traynor declined to be known as "Binky Jones" his whole career. He instead offered up "Jay", a family nickname, and it suited everyone.
They first hit the Billboard charts in 1962 with the tune "She Cried". Later covered by several other artists, the track's highest charting was #5, inspiring the group. The next two singles didn't fare nearly as well, however, and John Traynor left the band. David Black (né David Blatt) of The Empires took his place (after first agreeing to adopt the name Jay Black), and Empires guitarist Marty Sanders also joined. Black sang lead for the rest of the group's existence.
They returned to the charts in 1963 with "Only In America", a song originally meant for The Drifters. Other notable hits for the Americans were "Come a Little Bit Closer" in 1964, which hit #3, and "Cara Mia" in 1965, which hit #4. The Americans also recorded a commercial for H.I.S. Slacks, and a public service announcement for the Ad Council, featuring a backing track by Brian Wilson and Phil Spector.
In 1968, they recorded an album of their favorite oldies remade fresh, called Sands of Time, and its single was "This Magic Moment", which also came through the Drifters. That track proved to be the last Top Ten record for the group. However, the band's follow-up album, titled 'Wax Museum', yielded the #19 hit "Walkin' In The Rain". First recorded by The Ronettes, the emotive love song has remained a classic on oldies themed stations along with the group's earlier work.
Their next singles failed to chart, nonetheless, and the band grew apart. The demand for live appearances remained. While the other members moved on to solo musical careers in 1973, Jay Black continued to perform as "Jay and the Americans" or "Jay Black and the Americans" until the 1980s, with a variety of musicians, including Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who would later found Steely Dan. ."
The group reunited in the 1990s for special performances, most notably the 45 Years of Motown special on PBS.
in 2006, Jay Black filed for bankruptcy due to gambling debts, and his ownership of the name "Jay & The Americans" was sold by the bankruptcy trustee to Sandy Deanne (Yaguda), Black's former band mate and original member of Jay & The Americans for $100,000 to pay Black's debts. With the name purchase, former members Deanne, Howard Kane, and Marty Sanders reunited, and recruited a sound-alike singer from Chicago, coincidentally nicknamed "Jay." Thus, John "Jay" Reincke became the third "Jay" and the band returned to playing both national and international music venues. Their show covers the history of Jay and The Americans, acknowledging all three Jays and featuring all of the top hits in their original arrangements.
David Blatt still tours under his stage name, "Jay Black". Kenny Vance is currently the lead singer of Kenny Vance and the Planotones, a neo-doo wop band that he formed in the 1970s. After leaving the group, John Traynor recorded a handful of songs on the Coral label, including "I Rise, I Fall" in 1964. None were hits, but "I Rise, I Fall" became a minor hit for Johnny Tillotson. The label billed Traynor as "JAY formerly of Jay and the Americans." Traynor now tours with Jay Siegel's Tokens.
Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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'cause something happened to me while I was drivin' home
And I'm not the same anymore
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
I saw a welcoming light and stopped to rest for the night
And that is when I saw her as I pulled in outside of the small motel she was there
And she showed me where.
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
She took me to the café, I asked her if she would stay, she said "OK"
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
The jukebox started to play and night time turned into day as we were dancin'
Closely, all of a sudden I lost control as I held her charms
And I caressed her, kissed her, told her I'd die
Before I would let her out of my arms
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
Ah, only one day away from your arms
I hate to do this to you but I love somebody new, what can I do?
And I can never, never, never go home again
The song Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa by Jay & The Americans is a story about a man who fell in love with a woman while on a road trip, which caused him to break his promise to return home to his significant other. The song opens with the man expressing regret to his loved one that he won't be returning home anymore. He goes on to explain that he met someone while on the road and fell in love with her. The woman he met showed him around and took him to a café where they danced closely and he shared a passionate moment with her.
The man continues to explain that he couldn't resist his feelings for this new woman and that he has fallen out of love with the person he promised to return home to. He expresses his regret, saying he hates to do this to his former love, but he cannot go back to her. The song speaks to the theme of temptation and infidelity, and how these can lead to broken relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Dearest darlin' I had to write to say that I won't be home anymore
I am writing to inform you that I will not be returning home for some uncertain period of time.
'cause something happened to me while I was drivin' home
I experienced something significant while commuting to my destination.
And I'm not the same anymore
The experience I had has had a lasting effect on me and has changed me.
Oh, I was only twenty four hours from Tulsa
I was only one day away from being with you in Tulsa.
Ah, only one day away from your arms
I was just one day away from being in your loving embrace.
I saw a welcoming light and stopped to rest for the night
I noticed a friendly light and decided to stop for the night to rest.
And that is when I saw her as I pulled in outside of the small motel she was there
Upon arrival at the small motel, I saw her outside.
And so I walked up to her, asked where I could get something to eat
I approached her and inquired about where I could find some food.
And she showed me where.
She pointed me in the direction of the place to get food.
She took me to the café, I asked her if she would stay, she said 'OK'
She accompanied me to the café and I asked her to stay with me, to which she agreed.
The jukebox started to play and night time turned into day as we were dancin'
The music started playing, and time seemed to pass quickly as we danced the night away.
Closely, all of a sudden I lost control as I held her charms
In our close embrace, I suddenly lost control and gave in to her allure.
And I caressed her, kissed her, told her I'd die before I would let her out of my arms
I fondly touched and kissed her, and promised never to let her go.
I hate to do this to you but I love somebody new, what can I do?
I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I have fallen in love with someone else, and I don't know what to do.
And I can never, never, never go home again
As a result of my infidelity, I can never return to my old life.
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.