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)
When I'm Gone
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowin' that I have to go.
I keep thinkin' of times we used to know.
I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -
As I'm leavin'. I won't say goodbye.
Sad farewells are not for me.
And I wonder what will happen to me?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone.
I will wander through the countryside.
Havin' nothin' else to do.
I won't think a thought .
My mind is turnin' blue.
And I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone
The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas's song, "When I'm Gone", describe the thoughts and emotions of the singer as they prepare to leave and wonder about what will happen to their loved ones once they are gone. The singer is aware of the people standing around, watching them leave and aware of their own impending departure. As they think about the past memories, they wonder what will happen to their loved ones when they are gone. The lyrics convey a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty as the singer contemplates the future.
The chorus of the song, "When I'm gone. When I'm gone", emphasizes the finality of the situation, and how the singer's departure will lead to irreversible changes in the lives of everyone around them. The second verse of the song further highlights the singer's sense of detachment as they describe their future plans of wandering through the countryside with no real purpose to their existence. While the singer tries to maintain a sense of stoicism about their departure, the lyrics suggest a deep sense of melancholy and despair.
Overall, "When I'm Gone" is a poignant and emotional song that explores themes of mortality, loss, and the impact of our actions on those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
And as people stand around. watchin' me
Observing those who are watching me
Knowin' that I have to go.
Being aware that my time has come
I keep thinkin' of times we used to know.
Reflecting on the past memories
I wonder. What will happen to you?
Questioning the future of those left behind
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -
Repeating the inevitable future event of death
As I'm leavin'. I won't say goodbye.
Choosing not to express farewell sentiments
Sad farewells are not for me.
Expressing personal preference for not saying goodbye
I'll just wonder if this is what should be.
Questioning the necessity of death
And I wonder what will happen to me?
Pondering one's own afterlife
When I'm gone. When I'm gone.
Reiterating the expected outcome of death
I will wander through the countryside.
Describing the activity after death
Havin' nothin' else to do.
Expressing that there are no other options or obligations
I won't think a thought .
Suggesting a state of emptiness or inactivity
My mind is turnin' blue.
Metaphorically expressing negativity or depressiveness
And I wonder. What will happen to you?
Reiterating the concern for the future of loved ones
When I'm gone. When I'm gone.
Repeating the inevitable outcome of death
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICK REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
magna carta
Lyrics:
And as people stand around. watchin me
Knowin that I have to go
I keep thinkin of times we used to know
I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -
As I'm leavin. I won't say goodbye
Sad farewells are not for me
I'll just wonder if this is what should be
And I wonder what will happen to me?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone
I will wander thru the countryside
Havin nothin' else to do
I won't think a thought
My mind is turnin blue
And I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone
nothingelse tolose
Black Oak Arkansas formerly known as "The Nobody Else" was one of the most talented and just incredible musicians who spawned the careers of some of the most well known musicians in history while themselves kind of staid in the background and just when you think you've heard all they had of offer musically another incredible song appears it's like magic
joseph esposito
WELL SAID! THEY SOUND LIKE THE DORRS HERE! EVEN BETTER! BRILLIANT MUSICIANS...SO AHEAD OF THEIR TIME AND STILL BETTER THAN ANY OF TODAYS BANDS....
mdfslfllf101
Jim Mangrum,what a voice.
Kathy Raymelle S.
mdfslfllf101 I know, you either love it, or hate it. I love it. I'm lucky.
g medeiros
The band BOA is the greatest southern rock band that ever appeared.
In fact no other southern rock band will ever replicate this bands sound because the world will never have another Jim Dandy.
The band members likewise.
joseph esposito
Absolute geniuses! What super natural beauty comming from this naughty raunchy band, at the same time heads & tails more talented than ANY other band! They sound like the doors here!
Kathy Raymelle S.
It's always beautiful, the words, the words. ❤
KaptSonic22
Yes, very sweet sounds from Arkansas. BTW, they were known as "The Knowbody Else"
magna carta
Lyrics:
And as people stand around. watchin me
Knowin that I have to go
I keep thinkin of times we used to know
I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -
As I'm leavin. I won't say goodbye
Sad farewells are not for me
I'll just wonder if this is what should be
And I wonder what will happen to me?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone
I will wander thru the countryside
Havin nothin' else to do
I won't think a thought
My mind is turnin blue
And I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone
Shovel trouble
When I was 14 I would go with my big brother to listen to the Nobody Else in the old Legion Hut in Paragould Arkansas.
JR Brewer was the best lead they ever had