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)
Uncle Lijiah
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah
He's still alive
Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah
A hundred and five
There was a time early in life
When he gambled to gain
And he was winnin' that very night
He cussed the devil, yes he cussed him good
He swore he'd lick 'em
Yes he sore he could
And he dared him to come to
Him if he would Yeah
[Chorus]
It was early in the mornin'
When he went to bed
To rest his weary gamblin' head
When he heard the angry words
His pappy said
"Lijiah go and fetch some wood!"
He heard his words
And up he stood
Even tho it hurt he knew he should
[Chorus]
Outside he heard the rattle of chains
And he ran from someone
He thought insane
As he heard the devil
Callin' out his name
The devil grabbed his suspenders well
And he let out with a hairy yell
He jumped in be with his
Maw and Paw
And he told 'em that
The devil was in Arkansas
And he told 'em he'd
Quit gamblin'
Or break the law
The song "Uncle Lijiah" by Black Oak Arkansas tells the story of a man named Lijiah who was known for his gambling habits and his daredevil attitude towards life. The chorus repeats the fact that Uncle Lijiah is still alive at the age of 105, indicating that despite all of his risky behavior, he has managed to survive this long. The first verse describes how Lijiah used to gamble to gain, and carried a knife with him for protection. Despite this, he was often successful and even dared the Devil to come after him. However, in the second verse, Lijiah is called upon by his father to fetch some wood, and despite being tired, he obliges. Outside, he hears noises and believes that the Devil is calling him by name. He runs back inside to tell his parents about his encounter, vowing to quit gambling or break the law.
The song seems to suggest that Uncle Lijiah is a larger-than-life character who has lived a long and interesting life. His gambling habits may have been risky, but they were also thrilling and profitable. However, his encounter with the Devil seems to have scared him straight, and he promises to reform his ways. Overall, the song celebrates the resilience and determination of one man who has lived life on his own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah
This song is about Uncle Lijiah
He's still alive
Uncle Lijiah is still alive
A hundred and five
Uncle Lijiah is 105 years old
There was a time early in life
At the beginning of his life
When he gambled to gain
He would gamble to win money
And he carried a knife
He would carry a knife around with him
And he was winnin' that very night
He was winning the night the song refers to
He cussed the devil, yes he cussed him good
He cursed the devil with a lot of passion
He swore he'd lick 'em
He promised he would beat the devil
Yes he sore he could
He was confident he could do it
And he dared him to come to
He challenged the devil to face him
Him if he would Yeah
To come and see him if he dared
It was early in the mornin'
The events are taking place early in the morning
When he went to bed
When he went to sleep
To rest his weary gamblin' head
To rest his head from all the gambling he had been doing lately
When he heard the angry words
When he heard somebody angry with him
His pappy said
His father said
"Lijiah go and fetch some wood!"
His father asked him to go and get some wood
He heard his words
He listened to his father
And up he stood
He stood up quickly
Even tho it hurt he knew he should
Even though he was in pain, he still had to do it
Outside he heard the rattle of chains
He heard the sound of chains outside
And he ran from someone
He started to run away from somebody
He thought insane
He thought the person was crazy
As he heard the devil
When he heard the devil's voice
Callin' out his name
The devil was calling his name
The devil grabbed his suspenders well
The devil grabbed his suspenders tightly
And he let out with a hairy yell
The devil yelled loudly
He jumped in be with his
He jumped into bed with his
Maw and Paw
Mother and father
And he told 'em that
He informed them that
The devil was in Arkansas
The devil was in Arkansas
And he told 'em he'd
He told them he would
Quit gamblin'
Stop gambling
Or break the law
Or that he would break the law
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind