Sammy Yaguta | 02-21-26

Cousin Brucie interviews Sandy Yaguda, a founding member of the iconic pop group Jay and the Americans. The dialogue traces the band’s evolution from their teenage origins as the Harbor Lights in Brooklyn to their mainstream success facilitated by early radio airplay. Yaguda shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories regarding the group's naming history, their transition through different lead singers—specifically the shift from Jay Trainer to the operatic Jay Black—and their creative independence after moving on from producers Leiber and Stoller.