Jake Black of English band Alabama 3 has died.

Confirming the news today (May 21) via Facebook, Alabama 3’s official account posted a tribute to Black, one of its founding members, who was also known as The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love.

“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,” the post began. “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.”


Revealing that Black was surrounded by his “brothers Larry Love, L.B. Dope, The Spirit, Jonny Jamm and Sister Therese Mullan,” at the very end, the group said that his passing was “painless and peaceful.”

Also stating that they are “heartbroken,” the band shared that Black’s final words were: ‘Tweet Tweet, Possil Fleet,” which they “have yet to decipher.”

Read the full post below:

Early this afternoon, on a beautiful summer's day, our friend, comrade and spiritual teacher, Jake Black AKA The Very… Posted by The Alabama 3 on Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Known for their 1997 track ‘Woke Up This Morning’, which was used in the opening credits of popular TV series The Sopranos, Alabama 3 were founded in Brixton, London by Rob Spragg and Jake Black.

Fans of the band have begun to share their tributes.


“Genuinely saddened to report that Possil boy Jake Black – aka The Very Reverend Dr D Wayne Love – of the Alabama 3 has departed this mortal parish,”said one fan. “Shocked to hear the whispers of the death of Rev D Wayne Love (Jake Black) of Alabama 3,” said another. Brixton Buzz added: “Brixton has lost a real legend.”

Take a look at the tributes to Jake Black below:

Genuinely saddened to report that Possil boy Jake Black – aka The Very Reverend Dr D Wayne Love – of the Alabama 3 has departed this mortal parish. Rock on, Jake. Rock on…https://t.co/vMVaiPah4r — Lost Glasgow (@LostGlasgow) May 21, 2019

RIP Jake (Reverend D Wayne Love) John Black from Alabama 3. Such sad news. Brixton has lost a real legend. There will be Peace in the Valley. RIP Rev.https://t.co/wiMXN76gln — Brixton Buzz (@brixtonbuzz) May 21, 2019

Shocked to hear the whispers of the death of Rev D Wayne Love (Jake Black) of Alabama 3. It was only a couple of days ago that I was taking photos of him at @HighestPoint_. They were also the first act I snapped for Academy Music Group. pic.twitter.com/YcJMYcRBM3 — glamgigpics (@glamgigpics) May 21, 2019

A sad loss https://t.co/ZFlTMUexp0 — Jason Manly (@Duke_aardvark) May 21, 2019

So sad to hear that Alabama 3's Jake Black aka The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love died this afternoon. I've adored them since 'Aint Going to Goa', saw them live with my brother in 1998 at a small festival. They kindly signed our copies of Exile and even took us backstage for drinks. — Roo Reynolds (@rooreynolds) May 21, 2019

https://twitter.com/JessRuston/status/1130889801438236674

Singer of the theme tune of what is now the undisputed greatest TV series of all time https://t.co/zP7XhCGkGQ — Adam Harris (@adamharris__) May 21, 2019