Alabama 3 bandmember Jake Black has died, his bandmates have confirmed.
The musician, who co-wrote the song used as the theme tune for The Sopranos, died a few days after performing at Highpoint Festival in Lancashire.
It has been reported Black was taken ill just hours after he played a show with his band on Friday.
Black’s bandmates confirmed the news today on their official Facebook account.
The statement read: “Early this afternoon, on a beautiful summer’s day, our friend, comrade and spiritual teacher, Jake Black AKA The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love, passed over to the higher ground.
“After a magnificent performance at the Highpoint Festival in Lancashire, D.Wayne in his supreme wisdom, decided it was the appropriate moment for his ascencion into the next level. We are heartbroken.
“All that remains for us, at this moment, is to carry out his precise instructions regarding the continuation of his teachings as a First Minister of The Presleyterian Church of Elvis The Divine, and continue The Great Work.”
The Glasgow native founded the electronic band Alabama 3 in Brixton with fellow singer Rob Spragg in 1995.
Their track Woke Up This Morning was used for the show’s opening credits of the TV series The Sopranos.
The band recorded a dozen albums, featuring a fusion of country, blues and acid house music.
The band’s harmonica player, Nick Reynolds, told Sky News: “Jake was a great raconteur and wit – he could bring the house down with an acid quip.
“An intellectual polymath, he would call my dad and they would speak for hours bouncing from Genet to Burroughs, Russell or Fellini, to Merckx or Coppi.
“We’ve lost a truly great and unique frontman, his disciples have lost their favourite minister. RIP Jake, Gone but never forgotten.”
