Three Dog Night founding member and lead singer Chuck Negron has died at the age of 83 at his home in Studio City, California, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for months.
Negron was ‘surrounded by family’ when he passed away, a statement from his publicist Zach Farnum read; no formal cause of death was made public as of Monday evening.
Negron had been dealing with COPD and heart issues in the months prior to his passing, according to an obituary for the vocalist, Deadline reported.
‘Through his six decades of success, and all the ups-and-downs, his large, unconventional family was most important to him,’ his obituary stated.
Three Dog Night emerged as one of the leading sounds of the late 1960s/early 1970s, with more than a dozen top 40 Billboard tracks.
The group’s hits include classics such as Joy To The World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog), An Old Fashioned Love Song, One, The Show Must Go On, Mama Told Me Not to Come and Shambala.
Three Dog Night founding member and lead singer Chuck Negron has died at the age of 83 at his home in Studio City, California after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for months. Pictured in 2004
Negron (pictured in 1972) was ‘surrounded by family’ when he passed away
Negron formed the three-man band in 1967 with Danny Hutton and the late Cory Wells.
Late musicians Jimmy Greenspoon, Joe Schermie and Floyd Sneed and guitar player Michael Allsup were also active in the band.
Hutton and Allsup continue to tour under the Three Dog Night name.
Negron parted ways with the band in 1985 amid ongoing issues with substance abuse but stayed active, releasing a series of solo records from 1995 through 2017.
Negron would address his addiction issues with a stint at the California Rehabilitation Institute in 1991.
Negron was emotional about his time at the clinic and the lessons learned, according to Variety.
‘I wanted to cry help, and they took a spiritually and physically broken man, and they changed me with many tools and an unbelievable support group.’
Negron had continued to tour the country on the nostalgia circuit before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The singer was behind the band’s hits such as Joy To The World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog), The Show Must Go On, Mama Told Me Not to Come and Shambala
Three Dog Night’s Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron and Cory Wells pictured in 1971
The obituary indicated Negron and one-time bandmate Hutton reunited after decades apart last year ‘in a timely effort to exchange apologies and bury the hatchet.’
Hutton, speaking with Catalyst in December, said the meeting took place amid production of a documentary on the band.
‘They’re making a documentary on us now, and the producer asked me… “Would you and Chuck ever get back together again?”‘ Hutton said. ‘I just looked at her and said, “Absolutely not. No way.”
‘She said, “He would love to talk to you,” and I said “Look, I don’t want to talk to him.”
Hutton added, ‘A lot of hurt, all of that stuff. And then I finally said, “All right, you know what? I’ll talk to him.”
‘So we went to his place – she had a whole crew there – and we hugged. And made up. It was wonderful. It was a great relief to get that burden … it’s not healthy to keep that anger. Anger always comes from hurt, I think.’
Three Dog Night’s Chuck Negron, Danny Hutton, Cory Wells pictured in 1972
Fans took to social media to pay memorial to Negron upon news of his passing Monday
Fans took to social media to pay memorial to Negron upon news of his passing Monday.
Said one fan: ‘Rest in Peace. Chuck Negron. You were one of the greatest singers of all time!
Another said, ‘Another rocker has left us at 83… R I P to former vocalist with 3 dog night, Chuck Negron. Chuck had major drug issues esp. with heroin… he had been clean for years.. Fly on freebird.’
Said one fan: ‘My Dad and mine’s favorite song was and is Joy To The World. Chuck will always have a soft spot in my heart. RIP Chuck Negron …’
Negron is survived by spouse Ami Albea Negron; children Shaunti Negron Levick, Berry Oakley, Charles Negron III, Charlotte Negron, and Annabelle Negron; siblings Rene (Jody) Negron and Denise (Janey) Negron; nine grandchildren, five nieces and two nephews.
