by Editorial Staff
Rickie Lee Reynolds went into cardiac arrest in hospital (Picture: Rex Features)
Rickie Lee Reynolds, member of the rock group Black Oak Arkansas, has died aged 72.
The guitarist was recently hospitalized with Covid before suffering kidney failure and later cardiac arrest. His daughter confirmed that he passed away on Sunday.
Reynolds’ daughter Amber Lee announced his death in an Instagram post: “Unfortunately, he went into cardiac arrest again this morning from which they were unable to resuscitate him.
We are all heartbroken by this tremendous loss, and the whole world feels colder and emptier without his presence in our midst.
“Today please take a moment of silence to remember all the love he gave to the world, and take the time to return some of those wonderful feelings he gave to all of us in our times of need.”
As a tribute to her father, Lee continued, “All my love goes out to those who are feeling this overwhelming loss right now, just like me.
“Please have courage in the knowledge that he loves us all as much as we love him. And he felt that love every day in the center of his big old heart. He will feel that love forever. Just as we will never forget the love he has bestowed upon us.’
Reynolds was a founding member of Black Oak Arkansas alongside vocalist Ronnie Smith, guitarists Stanley Knight and Harvey Jett, bassist Pat Daugherty, and drummer Wayne Evans. Jim Mangrum later became frontman after the band decided he was a better fit, and Smith then became their stage manager.
Known for their mix of rock, country and blues, Black Oak Arkansas went on to record three gold-certified albums in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of their most notable songs are Gigolo, Up, Hot Rod and When Electricity Came To Arkansas.
In addition to their success, the group also experienced lows, including backlash for the single When Electricity Came To Arkansas from Christians who believed it contained satanic messages.
Reynolds thought about their challenges and once said, “When we wanted to enjoy life, we were left high and dry. We all lost our homes, cars, publishing houses and almost our band name. It was attributed to poor investment.
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“All I know is that some of us had to pawn our gold albums to feed our families.”
Reynolds left the band in 1977 before rejoining the band in 1984 and remained until his death.
Rickie Lee Reynolds, Black Oak Arkansas Guitarist, Dead at 72
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Rickie Lee Reynolds, Black Oak Arkansas Guitarist, Dies at 72
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Rickie Lee Reynolds, Black Oak Arkansas guitarist, dead at 72
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rickie-lee-reynolds-black-oak-arkansas-guitarist-dead-at-72
