The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" 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. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia 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 Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, 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 new 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, Tommy Aldridge. 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 charts. 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 Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. 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 widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest 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 front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* 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)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - 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 (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
Jim Dandy to the Rescue
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
I was sitting on a mountain top.
30,000 feet to drop.
Tied me on a runaway horse
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
One day, I met a girl named Sue.
She was feeling kind of blue.
I'm Dandy, the kind of guy
Who can't stand to see a little girl cry.
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
I was riding on a submarine
Got a message from my mermaid queen.
She was hanging on a fishing line.
Mr. Dandy didn't waste no time!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
Once upon a time, I went to Maine.
Got a ticket on a DC plane.
Mr. Dandy didn't need no chute!
I was high and ready to boot!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
The lyrics to "Jim Dandy" by Black Oak Arkansas are about a man named Jim Dandy who is portrayed as a courageous and heroic figure who comes to the rescue in various situations. In the first verse, Jim Dandy is called upon to rescue the singer who is in a precarious situation on a mountaintop. The second verse tells the story of Jim Dandy rescuing a girl named Sue who is feeling sad. Later in the song, Jim Dandy is called upon to rescue a mermaid queen who is hanging on a fishing line and to save the singer who is riding on a submarine.
The song portrays Jim Dandy as an almost mythical figure who is capable of saving anyone in any situation. The repeated chant of "Jim Dandy to the rescue!" reinforces this image of him as a superhero. The upbeat and catchy melody adds to the fun and lighthearted nature of the song.
"Jim Dandy" was originally recorded by LaVern Baker in 1956, but the Black Oak Arkansas version became the most popular version of the song. It was released on their 1973 album "High on the Hog" and became a hit single. The song has since been covered by several other artists and has been used in movies and television shows.
Line by Line Meaning
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy is here to save the day! He's ready to help and do whatever it takes to fix the problem.
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!
Encouraging Jim Dandy to keep going and keep doing whatever he needs to do to save the day.
I was sitting on a mountain top.
I was in a difficult situation and felt trapped or stuck.
30,000 feet to drop.
The situation was very perilous and dangerous, like being very high up and at risk of falling.
Tied me on a runaway horse
I was in a situation that was completely out of control, like being tied to a horse that's running wild.
Uh huh, that's right, of course.
This is just how it is, it's an expected part of the situation or problem that needs to be solved.
One day, I met a girl named Sue.
I encountered someone who needed help, someone who was unhappy or struggling.
She was feeling kind of blue.
She was sad or depressed, maybe feeling hopeless or lost.
I'm Dandy, the kind of guy
I'm the type of person who is ready and willing to help in any situation.
Who can't stand to see a little girl cry.
I can't bear to see someone in pain or unhappy, especially a young woman or girl.
I was riding on a submarine
I was in a strange or unusual situation, such as being on a submarine.
Got a message from my mermaid queen.
I received help or guidance from an unexpected source.
She was hanging on a fishing line.
The source of help was in a precarious or unlikely situation, much like a fish caught on a fishing line.
Mr. Dandy didn't waste no time!
I acted quickly and decisively to get the help I needed.
Once upon a time, I went to Maine.
I went on a journey, seeking adventure or a solution to a problem.
Got a ticket on a DC plane.
I took a risky or daring move, like getting on a plane to a far-off place.
Mr. Dandy didn't need no chute!
I was fearless and brave, taking big risks without any safety measures.
I was high and ready to boot!
I felt excited and alive, ready to tackle whatever challenges came my way.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: LINCOLN CHASE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@toddlenard7602
I didn't know if everyone knew or not. Robert Bingham was the lead guitarist for Black oak Arkansas in the 80s. He passed away in September. He was a good man and a good friend. He was my friend for 35 years. He lived right here in Middle Tennessee. He was the best guitarist I'd ever seen live or on recording. He was having a rough time anyway he was very close with his family and his mom and his sister and his nephew all passed away in the few months before his death. He was a good friend and I will miss him. I hope you're still rocking on in the afterlife my friend.
@tmarielbs
Blessings to y’all.
@tittybojangles
What part of Middle Tennessee?
@toddlenard7602
@@tittybojangles the last place he lived was in Woodbury. He lived in Murfreesboro before that.
@superptop
Wow man that’s sad ❤
@debradavis9589
😢 my condolences RIP
@jimbobdrg3247
Ruby Starr steals the show! She had the moves, and a truly great voice!
@markpr73
I GUARANTEE you nobody in that audience was watching anybody else besides Ruby.
@ROGER2095
Plus the giant hair!
@RBunks92
I assure you, no one cared about anything from the waist up. Especially on this track. Her shrieking is headache inducing.