I guess a band name becomes a product. Just when do they become a tribute band? I guess that's hard to say.

  • Jay and the Americans lost the original Jay after some chart success.
  • Dave Black (Blatt) changed his name to Jay, and replaced him. They had quite a few hits with the faux Jay.
    Eventually, Jay (David) Black (Blatt) was the only one left touring as Jay And The Americans, and he was not an original member.
  • Dave went bankrupt, sold the name to an original member, recruited a coupe of other originals, hired a new Jay (John "Jay" Reincke) and started touring again.
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So which was the real Jay And The Americans?

Is Earth, Wind & Fire the same band without Maurice White? They sold out our local theater a few years ago.

Historically, look at The Clovers, The Coasters, The Drifters, and so many others, and they changed members continuously. The Clovers had 30 or so, The Coasters, over 20, The Temptations, close to 30, The Buckinghams about 20, and so on. And that doesn't count any touring groups traveling under the same name.

So is it fraud? Deceptive? Or just business as usual?

Is a never-changing unit, or a brand name? Is it any different from a symphony orchestra, most of which haven't had original members for a century or more?

I can't say. Can you?

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
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