Jay Black, Jay and the Americans frontman who sang 'This Magic Moment,' dies at 82

NEW YORK – Jay Black, frontman for the 1960s rock band Jay and the Americans, who crooned the soaring vocals to hits like “This Magic Moment,” “Cara Mia” and “Come a Little Bit Closer,” has died. He was 82.

The band announced the death of Black, born David Blatt, in a statement Saturday. Vocalist Sandy Deanne, Black's Jay and the Americans bandmate, said he died Friday from complications of pneumonia. During his final years, Black also suffered from dementia, according to a statement from Scoop Marketing. 

“We shared both wonderful and very contentious times, and much like an ex-wife, we are so proud of the beautiful children we created,” the band wrote on Facebook. “We’ll always remember The Voice.”

Black joined Jay and the Americans in 1962, replacing the group’s first singer, Jay Traynor. One of their biggest hits was a cover of The Drifters’ “This Magic Moment.” It reached No. 6 on the Billboard charts and sold more than 1 million copies.

During their heyday, Jay and the Americans made TV appearances including pop radio shows “Hullaballoo” and “Where the Action Is,” as well as talk and variety shows including "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson," "The Mike Douglas Show" and "The Merv Griffin Show." The group had 21 charting hits and opened for The Beatles at their first U.S. concert in 1964.

After the group disbanded in 1973, Black continued as a solo performer up until his last concert in 2017. Black even tried his hand at acting and appeared in Frank Sinatra’s 1977 made-for-TV film “Contract on Cherry Street.”

For years, Black performed under the name Jay and the Americans, but after filing for bankruptcy, he sold the name to Deanne, whose real name is Sandy Yagunda.

Black is survived by four children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Contributing: Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY