Black Oak Arkansas
Encyclopedia
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
.
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. They also lived in Long Beach, Mississippi and played at the local Lobe theater/dance hall. Some of their influences during this time were the Beatles
and the Byrds
. At some point the band and Ronnie "Chicky Hawk" Smith agreed that a mutual friend named James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum would make a better front man, Ronnie Smith agreed that he would make a better stage production manager.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee
in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records
. Their self-titled debut album was largely ignored by the public. 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
(whose parent label Atlantic Records
once had a partnership with Stax) 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 fourth album Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Abel Ji McKnight. It was their fifth album High on the Hog
, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard
albums chart. Vocalist Ruby Starr
also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker
's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy
," which reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
The band played at the famous California Jam
festival in Ontario, California
on April 6, 1974. Attracting over 200,000 fans, appearing alongside 1970s rock giants Black Sabbath
, Eagles, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
, Deep Purple
, Earth, Wind & Fire
, Seals and Crofts
and Rare Earth
. Portions of the show were telecast on ABC
Television in the US, exposing the band to a wider audience.
Also the 1974 release, "Street Party", may have failed to maintain the momentum; however, another 1974 release entitled "Early Times", a shelved Stax recording by The Knowbody Else (now released on the back of their success and under the BOA banner) , made up for lost time. In 1975 they released two studio albums with 'Ain't Life Grand' (their last for Atco) and they signed a contract with MCA and promptly released 'X-Rated'. In 1976 the original line-up of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released two more albums, Balls of Fire and '10 Yr Overnite Success'. Atco released also another great live album with 'Live Mutha' which was probably a contract filler. A new version of the band called "Black Oak" was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing.) 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 and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is regarded by many as the finest of the band's long career, with arguably the most talented lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups, up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently 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. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well. In addition, in the 1980s former Maine
State Representative Chris Greeley
once 'opened' for them as a member of the rock band
Toyz
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Southern rock
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
band named after the band's hometown of Black Oak, Arkansas
Black Oak, Arkansas
Black Oak is a town in Craighead County, Arkansas, USA. The population was 286 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Jonesboro, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. 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
Jim "Dandy" Mangrum
James Mangrum, better known as Jim "Dandy" Mangrum , is the lead singer and frontman for the American Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas. He is noted for his raspy voice, long hair, and wild, sexually-explicit stage antics which sometimes included miming sex with a washboard which he often uses...
.
History
The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Ronnie "Chicky Hawk" Smith (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. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larcenyGrand Larceny
Grand Larceny is a 1987 thriller film directed by Jeannot Szwarc and starring Marilu Henner, Ian McShane, Omar Sharif and Louis Jourdan.-Plot summary:...
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. They also lived in Long Beach, Mississippi and played at the local Lobe theater/dance hall. Some of their influences during this time were the Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and the Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
. At some point the band and Ronnie "Chicky Hawk" Smith agreed that a mutual friend named James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum would make a better front man, Ronnie Smith agreed that he would make a better stage production manager.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
. Their self-titled debut album was largely ignored by the public. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern
Eastern philosophy
Eastern philosophy includes the various philosophies of Asia, including Chinese philosophy, Iranian philosophy, Japanese philosophy, Indian philosophy and Korean philosophy...
spiritualism
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
which, combined with their Southern Baptist
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
(whose parent label Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
once had a partnership with Stax) and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their self-titled debut album Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas (album)
Black Oak Arkansas is the 1971 eponymous debut album by Black Oak Arkansas.-Track listing:All selections written by Black Oak Arkansas, except where noted.# "Uncle Lijiah" # "Memories at the Window" # "The Hills of 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 fourth album Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Abel Ji McKnight. It was their fifth album High on the Hog
High on the Hog (Black Oak Arkansas album)
High on the Hog is the most commercially successful album by the southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas. It is mainly known for its cover of the LaVern Baker song "Jim Dandy", which reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100...
, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
albums chart. Vocalist Ruby Starr
Ruby Starr
Ruby Starr was born Constance Henrietta Mierzwiak in Toledo, Ohio. Starr started performing at the age of nine under the stage name Connie Little and later joined Ruby Jones in 1969. In 1971 they were signed to Curtom Records and recorded their first album, Ruby Jones...
also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker
LaVern Baker
LaVern Baker was an American rhythm and blues singer, who had several hit records on the pop chart in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her most successful records were "Tweedlee Dee" , "Jim Dandy" , and "I Cried a Tear" .-Early life:She was born Delores LaVern Baker in Chicago, Illinois...
's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy
Jim Dandy (song)
"Jim Dandy" is a song written by Lincoln Chase, and was first recorded by American R&B singer LaVern Baker in 1956. It reached the top of the R&B chart and #17 on the pop charts in the U.S...
," which reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
The band played at the famous California Jam
California Jam
California Jam, also known as Cal Jam, was a rock music festival concert held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California on April 6, 1974. It was produced by ABC Entertainment, Sandy Feldman, Don Branker and Leonard Stogel...
festival in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
on April 6, 1974. Attracting over 200,000 fans, appearing alongside 1970s rock giants Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Eagles, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
, Seals and Crofts
Seals and Crofts
Seals and Crofts is a band made up of Jim Seals and Dash Crofts . The soft rock duo was one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. They are best known for their hits "Summer Breeze" and "Diamond Girl"...
and Rare Earth
Rare Earth (band)
Rare Earth is an American rock band affiliated with Motown's Rare Earth record label , who prospered in 1970-1972. Although not the first white band signed to Motown, Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members...
. Portions of the show were telecast on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
Television in the US, exposing the band to a wider audience.
Also the 1974 release, "Street Party", may have failed to maintain the momentum; however, another 1974 release entitled "Early Times", a shelved Stax recording by The Knowbody Else (now released on the back of their success and under the BOA banner) , made up for lost time. In 1975 they released two studio albums with 'Ain't Life Grand' (their last for Atco) and they signed a contract with MCA and promptly released 'X-Rated'. In 1976 the original line-up of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released two more albums, Balls of Fire and '10 Yr Overnite Success'. Atco released also another great live album with 'Live Mutha' which was probably a contract filler. A new version of the band called "Black Oak" was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing.) In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane
Shawn Lane
Shawn Lane was an American musician. Although piano was his first instrument, he quickly became a noted player in underground guitar circles and joined Black Oak Arkansas when he was just fourteen years old....
joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready, as Hell debuted a heavier
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
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 and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is regarded by many as the finest of the band's long career, with arguably the most talented lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups, up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently 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. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well. In addition, in the 1980s former Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
State Representative Chris Greeley
Chris Greeley
Christian D. "Chris" Greeley is a former representative in the Maine state legislature. He is a Republican. He represented District 22 in the House of Representatives for four consecutive two-year terms, from 2002 to 2010, at which point he was prohibited from running again by term limits.He is a...
once 'opened' for them as a member of the rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Toyz
ToyZ
ToyZ is the second studio album by German glam rock band Cinema Bizarre. After their debut album, Final Attraction was a moderate hit, they began working on their second studio album. The first single from the album is called "I Came 2 Party," featuring Space Cowboy...
.
Band members
- James L. Jim "Dandy" MangrumJim "Dandy" MangrumJames Mangrum, better known as Jim "Dandy" Mangrum , is the lead singer and frontman for the American Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas. He is noted for his raspy voice, long hair, and wild, sexually-explicit stage antics which sometimes included miming sex with a washboard which he often uses...
- lead vocals, washboard (1965–present) - Ruby Starr - vocalist - (1973–1974)
- Rickie Lee "Risky" "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965–1977, 1984–present)
- Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003–present)
- Johnnie Bolin - drums (1985–present)
- George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
- Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965–1976)
- Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965–1977, 1996–2002)
- Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965–1974)
- Wayne Evans - drums (1965–1969)
- Gary "GT" Taylor-drums 1969-1972
- Abel Ji McKnight - drums (1977–1982)
- Paul Simmons - drums (1985–1986)
- James Henderson - guitar (1975–1979)
- Jack Holder - guitar (1977–1979)
- Randy Ruff - piano, organ (1979–1982)
- Gary D. Rollins - keyboards (1978)
- Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977–1979)
- Andy Tanas - bass (1977–1980) Later joined KrokusKrokus (band)Krokus is a hard rock/heavy metal band from Switzerland. They enjoyed moderate success in North America during the 1980s.Krokus was founded in Solothurn in 1974 by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer...
- Joel Williams - drums (1977–1978)
- Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975–1977)
- Shawn LaneShawn LaneShawn Lane was an American musician. Although piano was his first instrument, he quickly became a noted player in underground guitar circles and joined Black Oak Arkansas when he was just fourteen years old....
- guitar (1976–1978) - Russ Powell - Bass Guitar (1982–1983)
- Chris Craig - drums (late 1970s - early 1980s)
- Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
- Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979–1981)
- Mick Chelsvig - Guitar (1980–1981)
- William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
- Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
- Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
- Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
- Kevin Rees - Lead Guitar (early 1980s)
- Mike Farriss - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
- Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
- Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985–1986)
- Darrell Miller - drums (1970s)
- Les John - drums (1979–1980)
- Angelo EarlAngelo EarlAngelo Earl is an American guitarist, record producer, songwriter and owner of Soul Street Records. Earl is most widely known for playing electric guitar on Al Green’s “He Is The Light”, Bobby Rush’s “Southern Soul”, the Bar-kays “The Real Thing”, contributing vocal work to Isaac Hayes’ “Branded”,...
- guitar (late 1980s) - Cozy Johnson - drums (early 1980s)
- John RothJohn Roth (musician)American guitarist John Roth, best known for his work with the rock bands Winger, Black Oak Arkansas, and Giant, has been touring and recording with national acts since the mid 1980‘s. John got his start at the age of 19 when Jim Dandy, Lead Vocalist of Black Oak Arkansas, asked him to join the...
- Lead Guitar (July 1986-October 1987 and about a year or so around 1991) Currently in Winger - James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
- Danny Leath - lead guitar
- Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996–2001)
- Buddy Church - guitar (1990–1995)
- Terry Powers(slydman from Alabama) Lead Guitar (2000–2004)
- Candice Ivory - backup vocals (current)
- Randy Meers - Drums ( 1978–1979 )
Albums
- The Knowbody Else' (as The Knowbody Else)
- Black Oak ArkansasBlack Oak Arkansas (album)Black Oak Arkansas is the 1971 eponymous debut album by Black Oak Arkansas.-Track listing:All selections written by Black Oak Arkansas, except where noted.# "Uncle Lijiah" # "Memories at the Window" # "The Hills of Arkansas"...
(Atco, March 1971) - Keep The Faith (Atco, January 1972)
- If An Angel Came To See You Would You Make Her Feel At Home? (Atco, June 1972)
- Raunch 'N' Roll Live (Atlantic, March 1973)
- High on the HogHigh on the Hog (Black Oak Arkansas album)High on the Hog is the most commercially successful album by the southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas. It is mainly known for its cover of the LaVern Baker song "Jim Dandy", which reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100...
(Atco, November 1973) - Street Party (Atco, July 1974)
- Early Times (Stax STS5504 1974)(shelved Knowbody Else album posthumously released as BOA album)
- Ain't Life Grand (Atco, May 1975)
- X-Rated (MCAMusic Corporation of AmericaMCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
1975) - Live! Mutha (Atco, January 1976)
- Balls Of Fire (MCA 1976)
- 10 Yr Overnight Success (MCA 1976)Rick Mangrum
- Race With The Devil (CapricornCapricorn RecordsCapricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
1977)Rick Mangrum - I'd Rather Be Sailing (Capricorn 1978)Rick Mangrum
- Ready As Hell (Hacienda 1984) (as Jim Dandy)
- The Black Attack Is Back (Capricorn 1986)(as Jim Dandy Black Oak Arkansas)
- Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour 1976 (Capricorn 1998)
- The Wild Bunch (CleopatraCleopatra RecordsCleopatra Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label.- History :Founded in 1992 by Brian Perera, it specializes in gothic rock, hard rock, heavy metal and reissues of out-of-print music...
1999) (as Jim Dandy's Black Oak Arkansas)
Compilations
- The Best Of Black Oak Arkansas (Atco 1977)
- Hot & Nasty: The Best of Black Oak ArkansasHot & Nasty: The Best of Black Oak ArkansasHot & Nasty: The Best of Black Oak Arkansas is a compilation album by America Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas.-Track listing:# Mean Woman -- # Uncle Lijah -- # Hot and Nasty --...
(RhinoRhino EntertainmentRhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
1992)