Jake Black, one of the co-founders and lead singers of English electronic band Alabama 3, died yesterday afternoon.

The tragic news was announced via the band's Facebook page.

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.''

The cause of Black's death has yet to be officially confirmed, but the band did state his passing was ''painless and peaceful''.

They added: ''He was surrounded by brothers Larry Love, L.B. Dope, The Spirit, Jonny Jamm and Sister Therese Mullan.

"We are heartbroken."

Born in Glasgow, Black formed the Alabama 3 alongside Rob Spragg in Brixton, London in 1995. The group is perhaps best known for their hit “Woke Up This Morning”, which was co-written by Black and was used for the opening credits of HBO’s The Sopranos.

Friends, family and fans have taken to social media to voice devastation over the loss.

Zoe Devlin Love, who shared the role of lead singer in Alabama 3 with Black, posted a photo on Instagram in commemoration. "Shared a stage, shared stories, emotions, some of the best times of my god-damn life with this guy," she wrote in the photo's caption. "I'm going to miss you brother..."

 

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My Brother... #JakeBlack, of The #Alabama3 sadly left this world today. Shared a stage, shared stories, emotions, some of the best times of my god-damn life with this guy. I'm going to miss you brother... But remember all the amazing times and memories we shared. You truly were one of the most #fascinating minds I've ever been blessed to meet and be in such a #kickarse band with for the most crazy 7/8 years of my life... Til we meet again "belly-bump"... Luv ya... and can't believe you're actually gone right now...Xxx @alabama3official @razor_sharp_love #dwaynelove

A post shared by Zoe Devlin Love (@zoedevlinlove) on May 21, 2019 at 1:22pm PDT

RIP #JakeBlack thanks for all the music and the many many MANY fucking amazing live shows.
Today I will be blasting through 20+ years of great #Alabama3 records with a tear and a smile pic.twitter.com/cQG1vdvaTc

— Standard J. Wako 🫖 (@wakomeup) May 22, 2019

Sad news. Like many Sopranos fans, I can't hear that fuzzy 'white noise' intro on HBO shows without mentally following it with 'Woke up this morning...' RIP Jake Black

— Samantha (@befuddled_birdy) May 22, 2019

Yesterday, my good friend and fellow Glaswegian Jake Black (Rev D Wayne Love) from Alamaba 3 decided the record had finished, and took himself off to discover a higher place.

To say Jake will be greatly missed

Party on my dear friend till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/vrX2Ja4io6

— Jack Eye Jones (@jackeyejones) May 22, 2019