Alabama 3
Alabama 3 are an English band mixing rock, electronic, blues, country, gospel, and spoken word styles, founded in Brixton, London in 1995. Their track “Woke Up This Morning” was used for the show’s opening credits of the TV series The Sopranos. In the United States, the band is known as A3, to avoid legal conflict with the country music band Alabama. Every member of the group has an alias, the band’s founding members adopting the personas Larry Love (Rob Spragg) and The Very Reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love (Jake Black).
The band formed when Jake Black met Rob Spragg at an acid house party in Peckham and they decided that a fusion of country music with acid house was a musical possibility. Other members of the band were added over time. Rob Spragg was at university with Piers Marsh, the harmonica player and synthesiser programmer for the band, while Orlando Harrison, the group’s current keyboardist, used to live with Jake Black. Prior to the formation of Alabama 3, and following the demise of The Jangletties, Black generated little or no recorded output for several years.
Starting their act under the alias the First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine (UK), the group eventually switched names to Alabama 3 and, after having been dismissed by the mainstream media as a novelty act, signed with One Little Indian Records in 1997 for the release of its debut album, Exile on Coldharbour Lane.
In August 2007, the group toured under the name of Alabama 3: Acoustic and Unplugged, with Harpo Strangelove and Devlin Love, to promote its new album MOR (released 10 September 2007). Bassist John “Segs” Jennings left the band, saying he was “busy elsewhere and [he doesn’t] have the time.” The band’s sixth studio album, M.O.R. included a cover of Jerry Reed’s 1970s hit “Amos Moses” and features The Proclaimers on the track “Sweet Joy” plus piano parts on the country stomp version of the Gil Scott Heron song “The Klan”, written by Heron and Brian Jackson. In September and October 2007, the band toured the UK in support of M.O.R. with Irish band Republic of Loose supporting.
Day: Sunday
Stage: Main Stage 2 - The Village Stage
Time Slot: 21.45 - 23.00
Recent Facebook Posts
In Memoriam: Jake Black AKA The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love.
1960 - 2019
07.07.2019 @ Brixton Jamm
4pm - 12am
£15 admission all proceeds go to M.O.J.O (Miscarriages of Justice Organisation)
Alabama 3 Live + Very Special Guests.
www.fatsoma.com/brixton-jamm/t8sz3s1v/alabama-3-special-guests-live-in-london
What are the stage times for this guys?
Hey guy's I would love to be there with you all. Lost a lot of people close to my heart this year. Jake and you all are always close to my heart. Finding it really hard to be around people. I won't be able to make the night. Know that you're always my tribal fam and always in my heart.
Beautiful memorial poster. It'll be an awesome send-off for D. Wayne. Rest in peace, brother. 🌹🙏
Will be there in spirit! Looking forward to Glasgow gig in December 👌
Great Artwork !
Will still be in Scotland, but sending hugs n love. 💖💖💖. Miss ya Jake. Xx
R.I.P D Wayne.....❤
Wish I could be there ~ greetings from Canada!
There is nothing more I’d rather do than to fly over to be with you on the 7th and to give the Revered D. Wayne Love ❤️ a proper send off! I just can’t get there. Please know that I will always support your band. You’re all very special to me. It was a fantastic 22 years and I wish you all another 22
Sad news - great performer !!
God I’d love to be there!
Wish I could be there. I will raise a glass to the wonderful very Reverend D Wayne. Xxx🖤🖤🖤
Rockin in the free world! Awesome!
Love to see it!But cant,So Keep Jamming for the Brother!A fan from MAINE!
So sorry can’t make it Have a great time folks RIP Jake 😘🏴🥳🍺🥃
Saw his last concert at Williamson Park Lancaster. Was in great form. Hard to believe he died days later.
Will be there in spirit x
Would love to go to this, as I'm sure the band will do Jake proud 👍but can't make but be at Glasgow gig, will have a bottle or two of bucky and a few of your tunes on, on the night of the memoriam 😁
R.I.P D.Wayne!! The world has been robbed of one of its characters!
Going to be a tight one but will endeavour to return to the smoke early Love and Peace in the Valley xxxxx
Flying out from New York (back to back red-eyes!) to see you all in December. Wish I could be there on the 7th to pay my respects. I’ll crack a beer in his honor. Rest in Power, D. Wayne.
We will never forget brother peace be with you
Have a beautiful one! lots of love from madrid
One love jake man we had many wicked nights never to forget. Xx
Have to be there in my own spirit.. Vale Rev...
The funeral of our brother Jake Black will take place in Glasgow on Saturday, 15th June 2019.
We will gather at Possil Park Parish Church for a 10 am service, moving on to Lamb Hill Crematorium for an 11.15 am service. It will be followed by a celebration of his life at The Clutha.
For those who cannot make it, fear not, you will be with us closely in spirit.
Thank you to all of you for your support in the last two weeks on behalf of the Black family, Alabama 3 and management.
Will be raising a glass and will be there in spirit. We had some heavenly moments, love to all ❤️
Jake it was a pleasure and a privilege to have known you and to have worked with you. These are sad days, but I promise I won’t dwell, but, I will never forget, you I bid you a very sad goodnight 🥃
Heartfelt apologies I can't make it, I'm looking after my Dad who is doing chemo. I'll be raising my glass, particularly on Sunday as it's Bloomsday. Love to all Jake's loved ones, legions of fans and supporters. I'll certainly donate to MOJO Xx
Condolences to Family and Friends. Big hugs y' a'xox🌟💖🎶🌷🌸
I'll be there. It be a very sad day. Will miss the good times we had Jake... Northampton will miss you a lot. 💔
To my local Tabernacle and sing....and the Reverend will move amongst you and you will carry him forward with love in your hearts.
a truly awesome performer thoughts to his family and the rest of Alabama 3 fly high jake the music will live on x
I'll be there. He was such a good friend to me in the short time that we met. Fly on brother 😪✌️❤️ x
Unfortunately i can't get there but i was fortunate enough to speak to you ( only the week before that tragic day) on the phone arranging to meet up the following week. What a great man you were Jake and it was a privilege to have met you. RIP my friend and you will be truly missed by so many people. Thanks for your company. Definitely a man taken away far too soon. Xx
We shall miss you dearly Jake . Safe journey mate .
Love and strength to friends A3 and Jakes family. We’ll be toasting y’all from the Deep South ..Cape Town RIP 🙏🏽
Wish I could make it but rest assured I’ll be there in spirit. Safe passage Jake, I’ll raise a glass on Saturday and I’ll see you on the other side Bruv
We will be there in spirit. Hope Jake gets the amazing send off he deserves, I'm sure he will! 💜
Jake, thank you for the love and light you brought to our lives, the on stage memories will stay with us all forever. My thoughts are with your friends and family. RIP comrade
Will raise a glass to ya Rev. Your memories will live long..... Peace & Love to your family, friends and the band.
All my love!!! And big love from The Jar boys!!! Thank you guys for all you have done! Jakes spirit will be with me and my music until the day I depart x
Love being sent to all friends and family. A legend who will certainly be missed! Xx 😘
The day of our friends wedding. We will be raising a glass to Jake thanking him and yourselves for all the great memories. A true legend as are you all. We will be making a pilgrimage to the barrowlands in December as our last conversation with him was to make sure we go. RIP Jake love the Bristol boys 💔💔💔
A sad occasion for you all ...respects and condolences
love prayers and the groove RIP Jake you will be sorely missed
Safe journey brother.
An amazing artist who filled the stage with his calm cool presenxe. Rest in Peace. 🌺🙏🏼🎼
RIP Jake.....thanks for all the music and memories!! Have loved all the A3 live shows and have been to a few!! Will raise a glass to you next Sat!! 🍻😥🎶👍
Thanks Jake for the good times you gave us, thoughts to your family and close friends we will always raise a glass to you when we play your tunes, love from the Coseley crew.R.I.P Brother.
Deepest Sympathy to all family and friends ill light a candle in Jake's memory RIP legend 💗x
At the height of our mourning for our dear friend and comrade Jake Black, who died on Tuesday, we were faced with certain urgent and difficult decisions, not least the question of whether we should play the two forthcoming shows this weekend. We have only just started to process our grief, or even begin to think about the impossibility of filling the massive hole that Jake has left behind. There has been a strong argument within the band that we should pull these shows as a mark of respect.
In the end it came down to this: What would Jake want? What would Jake do?
Jake would never want to miss a show. Aside from being in hospital with pneumonia, we can assure you, whatever heavy shit he had to deal with, not least the loss of many of his own friends and lovers, he would be there on stage for you. It was a point of pride.
We can also tell you that he would laugh at us if we wallowed in sentimentality, and berate us for letting down fans who loved him.
So please all of you who are coming, help us get through this, and join us this weekend in Newcastle and Falkirk to celebrate the life of our friend, the unique and irrepressible Jake Black.
You did Jake proud last night in Falkirk,very emotional at times and a great tribute to him ❤️
Unbelievably emotional performance at Vibration Festival yesterday guys Here’s a few pics , I’ve sent them all to Mystique
Saw you guys in Falkirk, sooo pleased you made it, loved every minute. My wee boy declared the music "very funky" and he's very selective 🤣
Play on! Or as you’ve already explained, it’s time to go to your local tabernacle and sing with your brothers and sisters! You may be sick with grief, but you aint too sick to play! And I bet Jake will be there with you on every note.
I would agree. Jake gave up his time to support me during my rehabilitation from a major brain injury. One of the things he said was “lift up your bass that’ll help get the brain connecting again Brother”. Tweet tweet Possil Fleet
My uncle Jackie would for sure want you to carry on!! Wish you all the best for this weekend guys! & Thankyou 💙💙 xx
Massive respect to you all... United as one with the Reverend looking over you, you will all get through this difficult time. 🕶💚
Hold your head up and put your shades on ..respect n love to yi all.. do it for the Rev
Heart and prayers out to you guys, all friends and family.. Beyond sad news. Much love and Rest In Peace pal. x
Aye. He'd certainly no want to have shows pulled. Just hope yez can do his absence justice in the midst of the grief. Gie it laldy... aw the Alabampots that come along will help to lift yez up. Good luck. It's a hard load to carry. Xxx
Hard decision, but I'm sure Jake would approve and have admonished you otherwise! Big love to all the Alabama 3 family - our love and support for you, always.
So sad, what a hard decision to have to make but you knew in your hearts what he would want and reading through these replies his family have confirmed. Wishing you all the best of luck and love to you all and Jakes family. Go do you and him proud, play loud and strong <3
Jake would certainly want the show to go on...the gigs will be a massive celebration of his life. Biggest Love and courage to you all <3 <3 <3
Sorry for your/our loss😥 looking forward to seeing you all in Falkirk, let the music play...remember if you're gonna cry..keep your shades on. 😎
Very privileged to see his last gig and spend a couple of minutes with you all after. Best wishes. You were all awesome by the way
It's going to be tough but what a room full of love each gig will be, a fitting tribute. Sending my love to you all x
So sorry for your loss guys. I recall interviewing you at Leeds Cockpit many years again and Jake had actually only just made the show having attended a funeral in Scotland and then making the dash to the gig. I’ve always remembered how after a tough day of emotion and travel he put in a mammoth performance on stage and still had it in him to be so kind and warm to a young kid floundering through his first interview with a proper band.
A great decision made. Yes he would want the show to go on. Let all who attend remember him with fondness, a smile and their own thoughts of what he meant to them. I was given the best surprise of being introduced to the legend at a gig in Bristol and sharing some stories whilst having a beer. Here's to Jake and all of you who will play on.
I think anything you decided to do is the right thing to do. It's about whether you feel able to cope with being on stage, in the end. It's going to be really hard though, and all the audience will understand that. Sending strength and love <3
Tough call but you're right... He'd haunt you for the rest of your musical careers if you pulled the gigs!!! Sending you all my strength to get through this terrible time.... Still can't believe the news.... The next Glasgow gig will be the most difficult methinks.... quite possibly the biggest wake the city will ever see....
You're all awesome and so brave, he definitely would want the show to go on. Sending you all love xx
It's the right decision and absolutely what he would have wanted. I'm sorry I can't make it, is there anyway anyone could 'go live' on this page for a goodbye moment together? I think we'd all like join you. 💔❤️
the very spirit of rock and roll. So much love for you guys and gals xx
No better way to celebrate Jakes life than to honour him doing what he loved the most. It’s hard being human when a loved one passes away but hopefully you guys can get comfort in the music too. Kindest regards to you all.
I've only just read about Jake. Such sad news. We met at a gig a few years ago and chatted for ages, he took me back stage to meet you all and it was one of the best nights. We later went another that year and it was like meeting old friends when we went on the tour bus etc. RIP Jake. So so sad. X x
