Three Dog Night Co-Founder Chuck Negron Dies At 83

/by

Chuck Negron

Chuck Negron, a founding member of Three Dog Night, passed away peacefully at his home in Studio City, California on Feb. 2. He was 83.

Negron, whose father was a Puerto Rican nightclub performer, grew up in the Bronx playing basketball and singing in doo wop groups from an early age. He was recruited by California State University to play basketball, where he continued to explore his love for music. In 1967, he joined Danny Hutton and the late Cory Wells to form Three Dog Night, a trio that became one of the most successful bands of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The band was expanded to include guitarist Michael Allsup, and the late musicians Jimmy Greenspoon, Joe Schermie and Floyd Sneed. 

Three Dog Night released classics like “Joy To The World (Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog),” “One (Is The Loneliest Number),” “Easy To Be Hard,” “Old Fashioned Love Song,” “The Show Must Go On” and more, but heavy drug use was rampant during their quick ascension to the top, and Negron developed a heavy addiction. The band’s success was stymied by fractions internally, and fell apart at their peak. Negron’s addiction eventually overtook him, and he ended up on Los Angeles’ notorious Skid Row for a time. After many attempts, he finally got clean in 1991 and went on to have a successful solo career, releasing seven albums between 1995 and 2017. He released a book Three Dog Nightmare in 1999, an honest recount of the ups and downs of his life, claiming responsibility for his downfalls and strengthening his path of rehabilitation.

In his later years, though he battled chronic COPD for decades, Negron continued to tour heavily. The COVID-19 pandemic sidelined him permanently though, and in his final months, he also battled heart failure in addition to the COPD. After decades of estrangement between him and fellow Three Dog Night founder Danny Hutton, the two men met last year in an effort to finally exchange apologies and bury the hatchet.

Negron is survived by wife Ami Albea Negron, children Shaunti Negron Levick, Berry Oakley, Charles Negron III, Charlotte Negron, and Annabelle Negron, his brother Rene (Jody) Negron, sister Denise (Janey) Negron, nine grandchildren, five nieces and two nephews.

Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)