Chuck Negron, Founding Member of Three Dog Night, Passes Away

Chuck Negron, the original lead singer of Three Dog Night, has died at the age of 83. Known for their iconic hits like “Joy to the World,” “One,” and “Old Fashioned Love Song,” Negron contributed to their rise as one of the premier rock bands in the late 1960s and early ’70s. His death occurred at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles, reportedly due to heart failure and complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as shared by publicist Zach Farnham.

Negron also led the vocals on “Easy to Be Hard” and “The Show Must Go On.” Other notable tracks from Three Dog Night include “Black and White,” “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” “Never Been to Spain,” and “Shambala.” The band marked a significant milestone in December 1972 when they hosted the inaugural performance of Dick Clark’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”

By 1975, the group’s album sales began to wane, with “Till the World Ends” being their final Billboard Hot 100 hit before they disbanded the following year due to internal strife. They reunited in 1981, yet Negron was let go by late 1985 because of ongoing drug issues.

Negron, who discovered his passion for music in the Bronx through doo-wop groups, helped form Three Dog Night with Danny Hutton and Corey Wells in 1967. Their first million-selling single was “One,” written by Harry Nilsson, which marked the start of their success.

During their rise, Negron struggled with heavy drug use, leading to financial ruin and a stint on Skid Row in Los Angeles. However, after multiple rehab attempts, he achieved sobriety in 1991 and enjoyed a fruitful solo career, releasing seven albums from 1995 to 2017. His book, “Three Dog Nightmare,” chronicles his tumultuous journey.

After years of estrangement, Negron reconciled with Hutton last year. Currently, Hutton and Michael Allsup are the last surviving members of the band. Negron was born Charles Negron II on June 8, 1942, in the Bronx, and his early life was marked by his parents’ divorce when he was just two. After being scouted for basketball, he moved to Los Angeles, eventually making a name for himself in the music industry.

In his later years, Negron battled chronic COPD for three decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led to a decline in his health. He is survived by his wife, Ami Alvear Negron, and five children, including Berry Oakley Jr., the son of Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley, who died in a motorcycle accident back in 1972. Negron had once been married to Oakley’s mother, Julia Negron, and had a hand in raising Berry Jr. during his infant years.