Three Dog Night’s Chuck Negron Passes Away at 83 After Health Battles
Chuck Negron, a notable figure in the music world and a founding member of the successful rock band Three Dog Night, has passed away at the age of 83. He died on Monday at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles, due to complications from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His publicist, Zach Farnum, confirmed the news.
Three Dog Night’s Impact on Music
Negron was known for his powerful lead vocals on hits such as “Joy to the World,” “One,” and “An Old Fashioned Love Song.” The band, active primarily in the late 1960s and early 1970s, produced a series of chart-topping tracks, including:
- “Easy To Be Hard”
- “The Show Must Go On”
- “Black and White”
- “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)”
- “Never Been to Spain”
- “Shambala”
In December 1972, Three Dog Night made a memorable appearance by hosting and performing on the inaugural edition of Dick Clark’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
Career Challenges and Personal Struggles
By 1975, the band’s popularity began to wane, marking the end of their reign on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single “Til the World Ends.” Internal strife led to the band’s disbandment in 1976. Although Three Dog Night reunited in 1981, Negron was dismissed in late 1985 due to ongoing issues with substance abuse.
Chuck Negron became a part of Three Dog Night in 1967 along with Danny Hutton and Cory Wells. They quickly rose to fame with their first major hit “One,” which was penned by Harry Nilsson. However, Negron struggled with heavy drug use throughout the band’s swift ascent, even facing homelessness on Los Angeles’ Skid Row.
A Journey to Sobriety and Later Life
After multiple rehab stints, Negron achieved sobriety in 1991 and embarked on a successful solo career with the release of seven albums between 1995 and 2017. His memoir, “Three Dog Nightmare,” published in 1999, chronicles his tumultuous journey through addiction.
Negron experienced estrangement from his bandmate, Danny Hutton, for many years. Fortunately, the two reconciled last year. Hutton and guitarist Michael Allsup remain the only surviving members of the original band.
Personal Background
Born Charles Negron II on June 8, 1942, in the Bronx, Negron was immersed in music from a young age, performing in doo-wop groups. Following his parents’ divorce at the age of two, he was later recruited by California State University to play basketball, which led him to Los Angeles and the music industry.
Legacy and Family
In his later years, Negron continued to perform, despite living with chronic COPD for three decades. The COVID-19 pandemic ultimately forced him to stop touring. He is survived by his wife, Ami Albea Negron, and five children, including Berry Oakley Jr., the son of the Allman Brothers Band bassist, who tragically died in a motorcycle accident.
