Three Dog Night
| Company type | Rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, Danny Hutton |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Three Dog Night is a rock group from the United States that was established in 1967 by singers Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton. Soon after, the band incorporated additional members: Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards, Joe Schermie handling bass, Michael Allsup playing guitar, and Floyd Sneed on drums. From 1969 through 1975, they secured 21 Billboard Top 40 singles, including three chart-topping hits. The band became notable for performing compositions by outside songwriters, bringing widespread attention to artists such as Harry Nilsson ("One"), Randy Newman ("Mama Told Me Not to Come"), Paul Williams ("An Old Fashioned Love Song"), Laura Nyro ("Eli's Comin'"), and Hoyt Axton ("Joy to the World" and "Never Been to Spain").
Name origin
According to the liner notes in the CD compilation Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975, the band's name was inspired by a suggestion from vocalist Danny Hutton's girlfriend, actress June Fairchild. She had read about Aboriginal Australians who, during cold nights, would sleep cuddling one, two, or three dingoes—native wild dogs—with the phrase "three dog night" symbolizing extremely cold weather.
However, Warner Bros. Records arranger and musician Van Dyke Parks contested this origin story. On 10 September 2018, he clarified via Twitter that Hutton’s girlfriend neither read Mankind magazine nor was aware of the Aboriginal reference behind his proposed name.
Background
The vocal trio of Hutton (who began his career with Hanna-Barbera Records in 1964), Negron, and Wells (affiliated with Dunhill Records) initially formed a band named Redwood in 1967. During this period, they collaborated with Brian Wilson while the Beach Boys were working on their album Wild Honey.
Redwood came close to signing with the Beach Boys’ label, Brother Records; however, Wilson was dissatisfied with their performances. He started producing an album for Redwood and recorded three tracks including "Time to Get Alone" and "Darlin'", but his bandmates insisted he concentrate on Beach Boys projects instead. Negron later attributed this shift to the commercial disappointment of Smiley Smile and Wilson’s diminished involvement, as the Beach Boys prioritized directing Wilson’s efforts toward their own endeavors.
In 1968, after retiring the Redwood name, the vocalists recruited supporting musicians—Ron Morgan on guitar, Floyd Sneed on drums, Joe Schermie playing bass, and Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards—and adopted the name Three Dog Night. Prior to releasing their debut album, Morgan departed to join the Electric Prunes, with Michael Allsup stepping in as guitarist.
1968–1972
Three Dog Night made their official debut in 1968 at the Whisky a Go Go, performing during a 5 p.m. press event organized by Dunhill Records. While working on their debut album, Three Dog Night, they garnered favorable reactions from a critical audience.
The album achieved commercial success, featuring popular tracks such as "Nobody", "Try A Little Tenderness", and "One", which helped establish the group as a major live attraction. From 1969 through 1972, they secured 13 straight Top 10 hits on the Canadian RPM charts.
In December 1972, Three Dog Night served as hosts and performers for the first-ever broadcast of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on NBC, marking a key moment in their media exposure.
1973–1979
In 1973, Three Dog Night initiated a $6 million lawsuit against former booking agency American Talent International (ATI), accusing them of falsely claiming ongoing representation after the band's contract with William Morris Agency began in October 1972. ATI was also charged with accepting deposits for bookings without proper authorization.
Joe Schermie exited the band in early 1973 due to unresolved conflicts and was succeeded by Jack Ryland. The lineup expanded to eight members when former Blues Image keyboardist Skip Konte joined later that year. By late 1974, Allsup and Sneed left to form SS Fools alongside Schermie and Bobby Kimball (later of Toto). James "Smitty" Smith and Mickey McMeel briefly joined but were soon replaced by Al Ciner and Dennis Belfield, both formerly of Rufus. McMeel was later replaced on tour by John Mrowiec.
During sessions for Cyan, Hard Labor, and Coming Down Your Way, Hutton’s escalating substance issues led to his dismissal in late 1975; he was replaced by Jay Gruska. Just hours before the start of their 1975 tour, Negron was arrested for drug possession but subsequently released on bond.
Released in May 1975, Coming Down Your Way failed to perform well in the U.S., partly due to inadequate promotion from new label ABC and the growing popularity of disco. Its single "Til The World Ends" marked the band’s final Top 40 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100.
Gruska toured to support their last album to date, American Pastime (March 1976), which also experienced poor sales. Nonetheless, its single "Everybody's a Masterpiece" found success on adult contemporary charts. Following Konte’s departure in early 1976, former Rufus member Ron Stockert joined as an additional keyboardist. The band’s final performance before disbanding occurred at the Greek Theatre on July 26, 1976.
In 1979, NBC reported that Three Dog Night’s accountant was paralyzed after a shooting believed to be connected to a mob-related dispute involving the group; Joe Ulloa, a reputed New York mob enforcer, became a person of interest in the investigation.
1981–1990s
Three Dog Night reunited in 1981 and released the ska-influenced album It's a Jungle in 1983 under the small label Passport Records, receiving some new wave radio play. However, Passport’s bankruptcy hindered its commercial performance. This reunion featured all original members except for Joe Schermie, who was replaced by bassist Mike Seifrit until 1982, followed by Richard Grossman, who appeared on It's a Jungle until 1984. Between 1982 and 1984, guitarists Paul Kingery and Steve Ezzo occasionally substituted for Allsup; Ezzo permanently replaced Allsup in late 1984 when he departed for personal reasons. Sneed was also dismissed at that time. Keyboardist David Bluefield temporarily filled in for an ill Greenspoon in late 1984 but was soon succeeded by Rick Seratte in 1985, resulting in a revised touring lineup including Seratte, Ezzo, bassist Scott Manzo, and drummer Mike Keeley. Seratte left later that year; Greenspoon and Negron returned for touring duties.
By December 1985, Negron was dismissed following a relapse into drug use; Wells and Hutton led the band with Paul Kingery returning on guitar to provide vocal harmonies. In 1986, their track "In My Heart" appeared in Robotech: The Movie. Personnel changes continued with T. J. Parker and Gary Moon replacing Kingery and Manzo in 1988, followed by Mike Cuneo and Richard Campbell joining in 1989. Allsup rejoined during spring of 1991; Negron entered rehabilitation and did not rejoin thereafter. Pat Bautz took over drum duties from Keeley in 1993.
In that same year, Three Dog Night appeared on The Family Channel's Spotlight on Country, filmed in Myrtle Beach. Kingery returned as bassist in 1996 after Campbell’s departure.
2000–2012
Original bassist Joe Schermie passed away on March 26, 2002. That May, the group unveiled Three Dog Night with The London Symphony Orchestra, a project recorded both in Los Angeles and at Abbey Road Studios, which featured two fresh tracks: "Overground" and "Sault Ste. Marie". Additionally, they released a DVD capturing a 2000 symphonic concert titled Three Dog Night Live With the Tennessee Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2004, Scott Manzo briefly rejoined the band to substitute for Paul Kingery on bass.
October 2004 marked the release of The 35th Anniversary Hits Collection Featuring The London Symphony Orchestra, which merged the two new songs with live renditions of classics such as "Eli's Coming" and "Family of Man". In August 2008, they issued Three Dog Night Greatest Hits Live, containing previously unreleased live tracks from performances in Frankfurt and Edmonton dating back to the early 1970s. On October 24, 2009, three new songs were introduced: "Heart of Blues", "Prayer of the Children", and "Two Lights In The Nighttime".
2012–present
During summer 2012, guitarist Michael Allsup was hospitalized due to an intestinal condition, leading Paul Kingery to resume guitar duties while Timothy Hutton, son of Danny Hutton, played bass. This lineup adjustment occurred again in summer 2015 when Allsup missed several concerts. On March 11, 2015, longtime keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon died from cancer at age 67; Eddie Reasoner, who had filled in for him in 2014, officially took over keyboard responsibilities.
Cory Wells passed away on October 21, 2015, aged 74. Later that year, Three Dog Night welcomed vocalist David Morgan, formerly of The Association. In April 2017, Howard Laravea succeeded Reasoner on keyboards; Laravea had previous experience performing with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
When touring resumed in August 2021, Timothy Hutton took over bass duties from Michael Allsup, with Paul Kingery moving back to guitar. During concerts, Danny Hutton announced plans for a new album and performed the new track "Prayer of the Children."
Members
Current members
- Danny Hutton – vocals (1967–1975, 1981–present)
- Paul Kingery – vocals, guitar, bass (1982–1983 as substitute; 1985–1988, 1996–present)
- Pat Bautz – drums, vocals (1993–present)
- David Morgan – vocals (2015–present)
- Howard Laravea – keyboards (2017–present)
- Timothy Hutton – bass, vocals (2021–present)
Former members
- Cory Wells – vocals, rhythm guitar (1967–1976, 1981–2015; deceased)
- Chuck Negron – vocals (1967–1976, 1981–1985)
- Michael Allsup – guitar (1967–1974, 1981–1984, 1991–2021)
- Jimmy Greenspoon – keyboards (1968–1976, 1981–2015; deceased)
- Floyd Sneed – drums (1968–1974, 1981–1984; died 2023)
- Joe Schermie – bass (1968–1973; deceased)
- Jack Ryland – bass (1973–1975; deceased)
- Skip Konte – keyboards (1973–1976)
- Mickey McMeel – drums (1974–1976)
- John Mrowiec – drums (1975–1977)
- James "Smitty" Smith – guitar (1974–1975)
- Dennis Belfield – bass (1975–1976)
- Al Ciner – guitar (1975–1976)
- Jay Gruska – vocals (1976)
- Ron Stockert – keyboards (1976)
- Mike Seifrit – bass (1981–1982)
- Richard Grossman – bass (1982–1984)
- David Bluefield (touring) – keyboards (1984)
- Rick Seratte – keyboards (1985)
- Mike Keeley – drums (1985–1993)
- Stephen Sigmon – drums (1997-1998)
- Scott Manzo – bass (1985–1988, 2004)
- Steve Ezzo – guitar (substitute for Allsup 1983–1984, 1985)
- Gary Moon – bass, vocals (1988–1989)
- T.J. Parker – guitar (1988–1989)
- Richard Campbell – bass, vocals (1989–1996)
- Eddie Reasoner – keyboards (2015–2017; substitute – 2014–2015)
- Mike Cuneo – guitar (1989–1991)
Timeline
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Lead Vocal Assignments
- An Old Fashioned Love Song – performed by Negron
- Black and White – sung by Hutton
- Celebrate – Hutton leads Verse 1, Negron takes Verse 2, Wells delivers Verse 3 and carries the melody through the refrain
- Easy to Be Hard – vocal by Negron
- Eli's Coming – Wells on lead vocals
- Joy to the World – Negron as lead vocalist
- Let Me Serenade You – Wells performs lead
- Liar – Hutton on lead vocals
- Mama Told Me (Not to Come) – Wells as lead singer
- Never Been to Spain – Wells leads vocals
- One – Negron on lead
- One Man Band – Hutton carries the melody with Negron's harmony in verses, Negron leads the chorus
- Out in the Country – performed with group vocal unison
- Pieces of April – Negron singing lead
- Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues) – Wells on lead vocals
- Shambala – Wells leads vocally
- Sure As I'm Sittin' Here – Wells as lead vocalist
- The Family of Man – Hutton sings Verse 1, Negron takes Verse 2, Wells leads Verse 3
- The Show Must Go On – Negron leads vocals
- Til the World Ends – Negron on lead
- Try a Little Tenderness – Wells performs lead vocals
- Your Song – Hutton as lead singer
Band Lineups
| 1967–1968 (Redwood) |
1968–1973 (Three Dog Night) |
1973 | 1973–1974 |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 1974–1975 | 1975 | 1976 | 1976 |
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| 1976–1981 | 1981–1982 | 1982–1984 | 1985 |
| Disbanded |
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... Discography
Awards and recognition
Sources
External links
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- Articles with short description
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- Musical groups established in 1967
- Musical groups disestablished in 1976
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- Musical groups from Los Angeles
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