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)
Rebel
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a Southern land
I didn't want no trouble
From the sheriff's men
Hoping you'll believe me
I didn't mean no harm
Without a shred of mercy
So I shot 'em
Some call it a sin
(No sin, It ain't no sin)
I shot 'em
And I'd do it again
(If they push me, I'll do it again)
I shot 'em
I didn't want no trouble
(No trouble, want no trouble)
And now, I'm called
A rebel
(Rebel)
I guess I'm just
A rebel
(Rebel)
Riding my horse
On hard river rock
Can't leave no trail
My guns' is cocked
Monsters getting close
No time for fun
Life is hell
When you're on the run
Now I fought back
Against the law
'Cause there ain't no justice
When you've gotta crawl
So I shot 'em
Some call it a sin
(No sin, It ain't no sin)
I shot 'em, yeah
And I'd do it again
(If they push me, I'll do it again)
I shot 'em
I didn't want no trouble
(No trouble, want no trouble)
And now, I'm called
A rebel
(Rebel)
I guess I'm just
A rebel
(Rebel)
I shot 'em
Some call it a sin
(No sin, It ain't no sin)
I shot 'em, yeah
And I'd do it again
(If they push me, I'll do it again)
I shot 'em
I didn't want no trouble
(No trouble, want no trouble)
And now, I'm called
A rebel
(Rebel)
I guess I'm just
A rebel
(Rebel)
Yeah, I am a rebel
I am a real live rebel
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ow, ow, ow, ow
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ow, ow, ow, ow
Oh yeah
I am a rebel
(Rebel)
The song "Rebel" by Black Oak Arkansas tells the story of a man who grew up poor and honest in the Southern United States. He didn't want any trouble from the sheriff's men, but they pushed him off his farm without mercy. In response, he fought back against the law, shooting some of the sheriff's men in the process. He didn't want any trouble, but now he's called a rebel. The man's life is now hell as he rides his horse on hard river rock and can't leave any trails. He is constantly on the run, with monsters close behind.
The song reflects the tension and violence that were prevalent in the South in the 1960s and 1970s. The man is a symbol of resistance against a corrupt system that doesn't afford him any justice. The chorus, "I shot 'em, some call it a sin, I shot 'em, and I'd do it again," indicates the man's determination to fight back against those who have wronged him. The repetition of the word "rebel" emphasizes the man's defiance against the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up poor and honest
I was raised without much, but with integrity
In a Southern land
In the southern United States
I didn't want no trouble
I didn't want any problems
From the sheriff's men
From law enforcement
Hoping you'll believe me
I hope you'll trust me
I didn't mean no harm
I didn't intend to cause any harm
Without a shred of mercy
Completely lacking in compassion
They pushed me off my farm
They forcibly removed me from my land
So I shot 'em
So I fired my gun at them
Some call it a sin
Some people consider it an immoral act
(No sin, It ain't no sin)
I don't believe it's a sin
And I'd do it again
I would take the same action again
(If they push me, I'll do it again)
If provoked, I would take the same action again
I didn't want no trouble
I didn't want any problems
And now, I'm called
And now, I'm labeled
A rebel
Someone who opposes the established order
I guess I'm just
I suppose I am simply
Riding my horse
Traveling on horseback
On hard river rock
On rocky terrain near a river
Can't leave no trail
Can't leave a visible path
My guns' is cocked
My guns are loaded and ready
Monsters getting close
Dangerous individuals are approaching
No time for fun
No time for leisure or enjoyment
Life is hell
Life is unbearable
When you're on the run
When you are evading capture
Now I fought back
Now I defended myself
Against the law
Against the established legal system
'Cause there ain't no justice
Because there is no fairness
When you've gotta crawl
When you are in a vulnerable position
I am a rebel
I am someone who opposes the established order
(Rebel)
Someone who opposes the established order
Writer(s): Rickie Lee Reynolds, Norman Stone, Tommy Dork Aldridge, Ronnie Smith, Stanley Glen Knight, Patrick Dale Daugherty
Contributed by Ryan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.