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Today, we celebrate the second anniversary of my “Great Songs of the '70s” blog!
It was initially inspired by my friends Kobi Shaw and Steve Russell who, while on a long road trip, were passing the time by singing horrible '70s songs to each other, and asking for suggestions via Facebook. (An ingenious idea by two ingenious people!)
I felt that some of the suggestions were actually “Great” Songs...but, of course, musical taste is a personal thing.
As someone who spent the entire decade of the '70s (as well as the '80s and part of the '90s) as a radio and club DJ, and I felt that perhaps—as a rebuttal of sorts—starting a blog about “Great Songs” would be in order.
I believed that for every song that may have been awful, there were 5 or 6 that weren't. And after highlighting a song or two a day, every day for two straight years, I still do! (Yes, even after 700+ songs!)
And there are still more songs to highlight...including some incredible classics I haven't gotten to yet!
Thanks to all the folks who have followed along on my Facebook pages as well as my Web site, and my column on Greatest Hits 98.1 in Eau cClaire/Altoona! Your support has been GREATLY appreciated!
And now, "The hits just keep on coming!"
Today, we reset the calendar back to 1970 with a "Great Song" by a man whose voice was one of the best: Jay Black. If the name doesn't quite ring a bell, he was the "Jay" of Jay and the Americans throughout most of the '60s. Actually, he was the second "Jay" following Jay Traynor, but Mr. Black was the voice behind the Americans' biggest hits: "This Magic Moment," "Cara Mia," and Today's "Great Song:" Walking in the Rain."
Jay passed away on October 22nd, and you can read his obituary here (via Rolling Stone): https://www.rollingstone.com/.../jay-black-jay-and-the.../
"Walking in the Rain" was written by the legendary songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, with help from Phil Spector.
Phil gave the original 1965 hit version by the Ronettes his "wall of sound" treatment--featuring layer after layer of overdubbed instruments, sound effects and vocals. It was quite a masterpiece in its own way, and it reached #3 on the Rhythm & Blues chart.
Jay and the Americans' 1970 cover version was more straightforward and highlighted Jay's strong voice perfectly. It received lots of radio airplay and reached #4 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart.
"Walking in the Rain:" A "Great Song of the 60s" by the Ronettes, and 1970 by the late, great, Jay Black (and the Americans)!
Jay and the Americans (1970):
The Ronettes (1965):
For more of Jay's amazing voice, here's "Cara Mia" from 1965:
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