Jay and the Americans
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents '60s Rock 'N Roll Revival on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 7:00pm. The evening features performances by Jay and the Americans, The Grass Roots, The Lovin' Spoonful, and The Brooklyn Bridge.
Headlining the '60s Rock 'N Roll Revival is Jay and the Americans. This iconic band started with four teenagers singing in Sandy Yaguda's Brooklyn basement, and they are still strong today. In 1960, they were signed by the dynamic producer/songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to United Artists. From 1962-1971, the group charted 12 top 10 records. In 1962, "She Cried" went to #5 on the charts. Jay Traynor, the first "Jay," was the lead singer. He was replaced by Jay #2, Jay Black, who was lead singer on the rest of their hits. In 1963, "Only in America" was a hit for the group. In 1964, "Come a Little Bit Closer" went to #3, "Let's Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key)" was top 20, and Jay and the Americans were on the bill on The Beatles first American tour and played at Carnegie Hall on the Rolling Stones tour.
From 1965-1970, their hits included "Cara Mia (#4)," "This Magic Moment (#9)," "Some Enchanted Evening," and "Walkin' in the Rain." In 1971, bassist and keyboardist Walter Becker and Donald Fagen left the band to form Steely Dan. In 1973, the group disbanded, and Jay Black continued to tour. Sandy directed "Beatlemania" on Broadway and became A+R Director of ABC Dunhill Records. Founding member Marty Kupersmith wrote "Bad Reputation" with Joan Jett.
In 2006, Jay Black declared bankruptcy. The bankruptcy court sold the rights to the "Jay and the Americans" name to founding member Sandy Yaguda. The other bidder was Jay Reincke, a Chicago-based singer who had been singing their tunes in his band for decades. Sandy and Howie flew to Chicago to see Jay Reincke perform, and were amazed by his vocal talents, so Jay #3 joined Jay and the Americans and continues to thrill audiences with his lead vocals.
Most recently, Darren Dowler, the former lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders, joined the band. Original members Sandy Deane and Marty Kupersmith, longtime member Jay Reinecke, newcomer Darren Dowler, and their fabulous band continue to recreate the authentic, unforgettable sound of all their great hits to the delight of fans.
The Grass Roots had many hit singles in the late '60s and early '70s, achieving three top 10 singles, six top 20 singles, fourteen top 40 singles, two gold albums, and sold more than 20 million records worldwide. In the mid-60s, Lou Adler's Dunhill Records and the songwriting/producer duo of P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri signed San Francisco-based band "The 13th Floor," who became the Grass Roots. The renowned Wrecking Crew backed them up in studio on their recordings, and Rob Grill's vocals became the band's signature. Their first hit in 1966 was "Where Were You When I Needed You." In 1967, "Let's Live for Today" went gold. In 1968, the Grass Roots performed at the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami Pop Festivals, and "Midnight Confession" was a top five hit. The followed that up with "I'd Walk a Million Miles" other hits from 1969-1972 including "Temptation Eyes," "Sooner or Later," "Heaven Knows," and "Two Divided by Love."
As the 70s drew to a close, Rob Grill embarked on a solo career, and he and his band were the opening act on Fleetwood Mac's national "Tuck Tour." In 1982, the Grass Roots performed on July 4th at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., setting an all-time attendance record of over half a million people. In the late 80s, the Grass Roots were part of the Happy Together Tour and also toured with The Monkees, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, and Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone. In 2015, they were inducted into the American Pop Music Hall of Fame. In 2011, Rob Grill passed away, but band members who have been with Grass Roots for 30 years and lead singer Mark Dawson continue to present great music with passion and energy to grateful fans.
Making their STNJ debut is The Lovin' Spoonful. In 1964, Mama Cass Elliott (Mamas and Papas) invited several musician friends to her Greenwich Village apartment to watch the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. That's where John Sebastian met Canadian guitar player Zal Yanovsky, and, shortly thereafter, they formed The Lovin' Spoonful. After signing with Kama Sutra records and releasing their first hit in 1965, "Do You Believe in Magic," the Spoonful had seven consecutive top 10 hits, including #1 "Summer in the City," and two #2 hits, "What a Day for a Daydream" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind." Other hits were "You Didn't Have to Be so Nice," "Rain on the Roof," and "Nashville Cats."
Only the Beatles and the Rolling Stones sold more records in 1966 than The Lovin' Spoonful. In 1966, "Darlin be Home Soon" and "Six O'Clock" were hits, and the band played legendary TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, American Bandstand, Shindig, Hullabaloo, and Merv Griffin. In 1967, their greatest hits compilation, The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful, went to number three on the album charts. In 2000, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Original bass/keyboard player/songwriter Steve Boone continues to lead the band.
The opening band for the show is The Brooklyn Bridge. The Bridge was formed by combining the Crests' lead singer, Johnny Maestro, with the Del-Satins (Dion's backup singers) and the horn players from the Rhythm Method. Maestro had several hits in the late 1950s with the Crests, including "16 Candles," "The Angels Listened In," and "Step by Step." They signed with Buddah Records in 1968 and, in 1969, enjoyed their biggest hit, "The Worst That Could Happen" (peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts), a song written by Jimmy Webb. Other Brooklyn Bridge hits include "Welcome Me Love," "Blessed is the Rain," "You'll Never Walk Alone," and "Your Husband, My Wife." They sold more than 10 million records and appeared on shows such as Ed Sullivan. The Bridge was featured in 1999 on PBS' DOO WOP 50, and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005.
Tickets start at $70 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS featured it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.
