ALABAMA 3 singer Jake Black has died, his heartbroken band mates revealed last night.

The musician, who co-wrote the iconic song used as the theme for The Sopranos, had performed at a festival just days ago.

He was taken ill after playing a gig in Lancashire with the band on Friday.

The Glasgow-born singer died in hospital on Tuesday – although his cause of death has not been revealed.

Black, who was thought to be in his 50s, was also known as The Very Reverend D.Wayne Love.

Announcing the sad news on Tuesday, the band wrote on Facebook: "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."

CRYPTIC FINAL WORDS

He died surrounded by his band mates – who heard his puzzling final words.

According to the band, Black said: "Tweet Tweet, Possil Fleet" – a cryptic phrase that they are still trying to decipher.

Acid house band Alabama 3 were formed in the Brixton, South London, in 1995.

They went on to release 12 studio albums and their debut, 1997's Exile On Coldharbour Lane, featured the song Woke Up This Morning.

The eerie track ended up being used as the theme for HBO's gangster The Sopranos theme two years later.

The band were reportedly paid £31,500 for use of the song – which is based on a true story of a British woman who shot dead her husband after years of abuse.

In an interview with The Times, Black said of the song: "It's totally ironic that we, who disapprove of anything villains do, should be picked for the theme song of a show that shows the human side of villains."

The band's harmonica player, Nick Reynolds, told Sky News: "We've lost a truly great and unique frontman, his disciples have lost their favourite minister.

"RIP Jake, Gone but never forgotten."

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