Breakup
The Five Americans broke up in 1969 and went their separate ways.
Mike Rabon had a successful touring career afterwards, released two albums that sold well, and played guitar for the Tyler, Texas, pop group, Gladstone, whose "A Piece of Paper" reached No. 45 in October 1972. He later returned to college, acquiring a master's degree in public school administration, and has been in the Oklahoma school systems for 28 years.
John Durrill, the keyboardist, wrote "Dark Lady" for Cher and "Misery and Gin" for Merle Haggard and was also a member of the touring band The Ventures. He now lives in Los Angeles.
Bassist Jim Grant died on November 29, 2004.
Norman Ezell (guitar and harmonica), who became a teacher and minister in Northern California, died of cancer on May 8, 2010, at the age of 68.
Drummer Jimmy Wright left the music industry to become a freelance photographer. He died at Texoma Medical Center with his family at his side on January 30, 2012.
As of July 2008, there was an online petition to induct the Five Americans into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The petition amassed over 400 signatures.
Read more about this topic: Five Americans