Black Oak Arkansas
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- This is about the band. For the town, see Black Oak, Arkansas.
Black Oak Arkansas is an American southern rock band named after the band's hometown of Black Oak, Arkansas. The band reached the height of its fame in the 1970s with ten charting albums released in that decade. Their style is punctuated by multiple guitar players and the raspy voice and on-stage antics of vocalist Jim "Dandy" Mangrum.
History
The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by James Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school and members of the group were subsequently charged with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended.) This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.The Knowbody Else moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their self-titled debut album, and their only album with Stax, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their self-titled debut album Black Oak Arkansas was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their third album Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fourth album , released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period.
The original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by James Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand, in 1975.
A new version of the band was formed in 1977 around Jim Dandy Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson and called simply "Black Oak". Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) were enlisted, and participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 ("Race with the Devil") and 1978 ("I'd Rather Be Sailing").
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready, as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album.
Black Oak Arkansas presently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s.
Band members
- James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
- Rickie Lee "Risky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
- Hal McCormack - lead guitar ( -present)
- Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
- George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
- Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965- )
- Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965- )
- Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1975)
- Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
- Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973- )
- James Henderson - guitar (1975- )
- Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
- Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
- Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
- Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
- Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
- Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
- William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
- Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rythym guitar (Ready As Hell)
- Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
- Michael Martin - lead guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
- "Big" Mike Fuller - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
Discography
Albums
- The Knowbody Else (Stax 1969)
- Black Oak Arkansas (Atco 1971)
- Keep The Faith (Atco 1972)
- If An Angel Came To See You Would You Make Her Feel At Home? (Atco 1972)
- Raunch 'N' Roll Live (Atlantic 1973)
- High On The Hog (Atco 1973)
- Street Party (Atco 1974)
- Ain't Life Grand (Atco 1975)
- X-Rated (MCA 1975)
- Live! Mutha (Atco 1976)
- Balls Of Fire (MCA 1976)
- 10 Yr Overnight Success (MCA 1977)
- Race With The Devil (Capricorn 1977)
- I'd Rather Be Sailing (Capricorn 1978)
- Ready As Hell (Heavy Metal America 1984)
- The Black Attack Is Back (Capricorn 1986)
- Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour 1976 (Capricorn 1998)
- The Wild Bunch (Cleopatra 1999)
Compilations
- Early Times (Stax 1974)
- The Best Of Black Oak Arkansas (Atco 1977)
- Hot & Nasty: The Best Of Black Oak Arkansas (Rhino 1993)
See also
External links
- [Official Black Oak Arkansas site]
- [Black Oak Arkansas reunion site]
- [Black Oak Arkansas @ MySpace.com]
- [Black Oak Arkansas Discography Images]
- [Full list of musicians who played with Black Oak Arkansas]
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