Jake Black, the vocalist of English musical group Alabama 3, has passed away, his bandmates have reported.
First forming back in 1995, Alabama 3 came together after band members decided to make a musical fusion of different genres, including country, acid house, and electronica.
Fronted by Jack Black, best known to fans as The Very Reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love, the group released a total of 12 albums, with their best-known track undoubtedly being ‘Woke Up This Morning’, whose ‘Chosen One Mix’ is known to most as the theme song to The Sopranos.
Written about a woman who gets revenge on an abusive husband, the track was a minor hit thanks to its inclusion on the show, despite the thematic content of the show being somewhat at odds with the band’s beliefs.
“It’s totally ironic that we, who disapprove of anything villains do, should be picked for the theme song of a show that shows the human side of villains,” Black once explained to The Times.
Now, in a post shared on Facebook earlier today, the Alabama 3 have revealed that their longtime frontman has passed away.
Having performed his last show on Friday afternoon, Jake Black reportedly passed away in hospital on Tuesday of causes that are as yet undisclosed.
“Early this afternoon, on a beautiful summer’s day, our friend, comrade and spiritual teacher, Jake Black AKA The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love, passed over to the higher ground,” Alabama 3 explained.
“After a magnificent performance at the Highpoint Festival in Lancashire, D.Wayne in his supreme wisdom, decided it was the appropriate moment for his ascencion into the next level.”
Explaining that his passing was “painless and peaceful,” the group notes that Black passed away surrounded by friends and bandmates.
“All that remains for us, at this moment, is to carry out his precise instructions regarding the continuation of his teachings as a First Minister of The Presleyterian Church of Elvis The Divine, and continue The Great Work,” they explained.
“His last words, which we have yet to decipher, were ‘Tweet Tweet, Possil Fleet’.”
Alabama 3 last visited Australia in 2012 as part of Bluesfest, having visited three years earlier for the same festival. At this stage, the future of the band is unclear, but our thoughts are with the family, friends, and bandmates of Jake Black at this difficult time.
Check out ‘Woke Up This Morning’ by Alabama 3:
