Jay Black in an interview years ago spoke of frustration within the group. I honestly believe that his vocal skills were every bit as good as Roy Orbison. With his voice, the rest of the group were probably considered average. Jealousy was the demise of the group. The lead singer was that good….
Jay was a difficult personality and he had a serious gambling problem. I believe it was a gambling that actually ended his precarious time with the group.
Jay and the Americans had to have had some of the poorest management possible. Jay Black's had a great voice with plenty of range, just from listening to him towards the end of his time it sounded like he could have been a problem for the other guys.