Jay and the Americans Appeared at Warde 58 Years Ago

Which were the top rock 'n' roll music groups when you attended high school? Now, imagine if one of them appeared in concert at Warde when you were a student? 

That's exactly what happened 58 years ago when Jay and the Americans performed at Andrew Warde High School early in 1966.

According to a story which appeared in the Bridgeport Sunday Post March 27, 1966, as the immortal lyrics of 'Coca Cola' blasted out loud and clear in the Warde auditorium, the audience shrieked and school council members breathed sighs of relief and pride.

They had accomplished the incredible feat of bringing Jay and the Americans to school. The famous rock 'n' roll band gave two performances.

Plans for the event were initiated in December of 1965 in answer to a request by senior Bob Kaplan. Martha Whiteman was appointed chair of the project, which became known as Martha's Folly.

Through the work of agent Bud Filippo, the school's first choice group, The Lovin' Spoonful, was booked. However, they received an offer of a West coast tour which made it impossible for them to appear on the scheduled date.

Council president Rich Sloan and Miss Whiteman, who is recording secretary, spent a frantic week in conference with Mr. Filippo. Luckily, they were able to get Jay and the Americans who were also high on the priority list.

The program combined such hits as "Let's Lock the Door," "Cara Mia," and "In a Little Cafe," with comic numbers. In homage to television, they sang a medley of commercials. No video, to my knowledge, exists of their visit, but I'm sure it must have looked and sounded like this.

Also performing was a well-known Warde rock 'n' roll group known as the Valiants. The members of the band, all seniors, were Ron and Allen Kaplan, Jason Eisenberg, and Jonnie Rich. Jay and the Americans were impressed by the group's performance and expressed interest in helping the boys in their recording attempts.

The profits from the concert were donated by the school council to the exchange commission.

Paul