Three Dog Night is an American rock band formed in 1967, founded by vocalists Chuck Negron , Cory Wells , and Danny Hutton . This lineup was soon augmented by Jimmy Greenspoon (keyboards), Joe Schermie (bass), Michael Allsup (guitar), and Floyd Sneed (drums). The band had 21 Billboard Top 40 hits between 1969 and 1975, with three hitting number one. Three Dog Night recorded many songs written by outside songwriters, and they helped to introduce mainstream audiences to writers such as 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 ", " Never Been to Spain ").
37-510: The commentary included in the CD set Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975 states that vocalist Danny Hutton's girlfriend, actress June Fairchild (best known as the "Ajax Lady" from the Cheech and Chong movie Up In Smoke ) suggested the name after reading a magazine article about Aboriginal Australians , in which it was explained that on cold nights they would customarily sleep while embracing
74-466: A dingo , a native species of wild dog. On colder nights they would sleep with two dogs and, if the night were freezing, it was a "three dog night". Musician Van Dyke Parks , an arranger at Warner Bros. Records , disputed the above story and said he coined the name. On 10 September 2018, he wrote on Twitter, "I wuz [ sic ] nuts about Hutton's girlfriend. Quite a dancer. Yet, she didn't read Mankind magazine, nor have an inkling of anthtopology [ sic ] and
111-504: A "reputed mob enforcer from New York", was investigated as being involved. In 1981, Three Dog Night reunited, later releasing the ska -inspired It's a Jungle in 1983 on the small Passport Records label, which garnered some airplay on the new wave circuit. The EP failed to sell after Passport went bankrupt. The reunion featured all of the original members, except Joe Schermie, who was succeeded by future Rick Springfield bassist Mike Seifrit until 1982, and then by Richard Grossman, who
148-510: A $ 6 million lawsuit against their former booking agent, American Talent International (ATI), for continuing to advertise in the media that the band was still with their agency when in fact they signed with William Morris Agency in October 1972. Other damages were sought due to ATI taking deposits for booking Three Dog Night, whom they no longer represented. Joe Schermie left in early 1973 due to "problems arising that were apparently unresolvable". He
185-591: A Little Tenderness", and "Family of Man". In August 2008, they released Three Dog Night Greatest Hits Live , a compilation of previously unissued live recordings from concerts in Frankfurt , Germany and Edmonton , London in 1972 and 1973. On October 24, 2009, they released three new songs: "Heart of Blues", "Prayer of the Children", and "Two Lights In The Nighttime". They issued two new songs on their 35th Anniversary Hits Collection Featuring The London Symphony Orchestra . In
222-544: A Masterpiece " became an adult contemporary hit. Another former Rufus band member, Ron Stockert, was recruited as second keyboardist after Konte left in the first half of 1976. The group played their final show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on July 26, 1976. In 1979, NBC reported that the band's accountant "was shot in the arm and paralyzed, in what the police believe was a mob dispute over Three Dog Night." Joe Ulloa,
259-585: A Row , directed by Roger Vadim , in 1971; in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot , which starred Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges , in 1974; and in the 1978 Cheech & Chong film, Up in Smoke , in which she appeared as a drug addict who snorts Ajax soap powder. In her later life Fairchild lived on the streets of Skid Row, Los Angeles due to her addictions. In 2001, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times ran
296-827: A convalescent home in Los Angeles on February 17, 2015, at the age of 68. She had been divorced twice. Blues Image Blues Image was an American rock band. They had a hit in 1970 with " Ride Captain Ride ", which reached No. 4 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM magazine charts. Blues Image was formed in Tampa , Florida in 1966 by singer-guitarist Mike Pinera , singer-drummer Manuel "Manny" Bertematti, singer-percussionist Joe Lala , keyboardist Emilio Garcia, and bassist Malcolm Jones. They were later joined by keyboardist Frank "Skip" Konte when Emilio Garcia left
333-622: A story about Fairchild's past career in Hollywood and her present life on the streets of Los Angeles. Fairchild was selling newspapers outside a Los Angeles courthouse at the time in an attempt to earn enough money for a single-room occupancy hotel room. On February 21, 2001, the same day that her story was published in the Los Angeles Times , police stopped her in Van Nuys for carrying an open container. A police officer recognized her picture from
370-403: Is still a member of Three Dog Night, but is now retired from touring. Danny Hutton has stated during concert appearances that Three Dog Night has been recording a new album, before performing their new song "Prayer of the Children". Current members Former members Disbanded June Fairchild June Edna Fairchild (born June Edna Wilson; September 3, 1946 – February 17, 2015)
407-475: The Stephen Stills / Chris Hillman led group, Manassas . Henry played lead guitar with Steppenwolf prior to their breakup in 1972. Correll later recorded a series of successful contemporary Christian music (CCM) albums, helped expand the genre's commercial appeal, and achieved airplay with several singles on CCM radio during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He died in 2002. Gary Dunham, who also toured with
SECTION 10
#1732875979459444-533: The band announced that singer David Morgan would be joining them on the road. He was a former member of The Association . In April 2017, Howard Laravea replaced Eddie Reasoner on keyboards. He was formerly with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons . When Three Dog Night returned to touring in August 2021, it was without Michael Allsup, who was replaced with Tim Hutton on bass. Paul Kingery switched back to guitar. Allsup
481-448: The band decided " Til The World Ends " would be the only single released from the album, which ended up being the group's last Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hit. Jay Gruska toured with the band to promote their last album, American Pastime , released in March 1976. Still, the album did not sell well for the same reasons as before. However, the only single released off the album, " Everybody's
518-464: The band gain recognition and become one of the top-drawing concert acts of their time. Between 1969 and 1972 they had 13 songs in a row reach the Top 10 on the Canadian RPM charts. In December 1972, the band hosted and performed on the inaugural edition of Dick Clark 's New Year's Eve special New Year's Rockin' Eve , Three Dog Night's New Year's Rockin' Eve , on NBC . In 1973, Three Dog Night filed
555-819: The band released Three Dog Night with The London Symphony Orchestra . The album was recorded in Los Angeles and in London at Abbey Road Studios and includes two new songs: "Overground" and "Sault Ste. Marie". They also released a DVD of a filmed symphony performance from 2000 titled Three Dog Night Live With the Tennessee Symphony Orchestra in May 2002. In the summer of 2004, 80s bassist Scott Manzo returned briefly to fill in for Paul Kingery. In October 2004, Three Dog Night released The 35th Anniversary Hits Collection Featuring The London Symphony Orchestra . The album includes live versions of "Eli's Coming", "Brickyard Blues", "Try
592-467: The band to become a pilot. Blues Image moved to Miami in 1968, where they helped form an innovative new music venue, Thee Image. Blues Image became the house band at the club, which featured acts like Cream , Grateful Dead , and Blood, Sweat & Tears . The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atco Records , releasing their self-titled debut album in February 1969. Their second album, Open
629-459: The cold aboriginal nights that inspired my suggestion." The three vocalists, Hutton (who got his start with Hanna-Barbera Records in 1964), Negron, and Wells (who landed a recording contract with Dunhill Records) first came together in 1967. They initially went by the name Redwood and made some recordings with Brian Wilson while the Beach Boys were working on the album Wild Honey . Redwood
666-504: The drummer of Kaptain Kool and the Kongs , in the children's television series The Krofft Supershow . For the albums Cyan , Hard Labor , and Coming Down Your Way , Hutton was absent from many of the recording sessions due to burgeoning cocaine and alcohol abuse (often in conjunction with such friends as Harry Nilsson and Brian Wilson), eventually precipitating his dismissal from the band at
703-626: The group to replace Cuneo in the spring of 1991. Negron entered drug rehab, but did not return to the band. Pat Bautz succeeded Keeley as drummer in 1993. In 1993, Three Dog Night performed for The Family Channel show Spotlight on Country , filmed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina . Kingery returned to the band as their bass player in 1996 following Campbell's departure. Jack Ryland (born November 15, 1950), bassist from 1973–1975, died November 13, 1996, two days before his 46th birthday. Original bassist Joe Schermie died on March 26, 2002. In May 2002
740-599: The group. By December 1985, after a relapse into his drug habit, Negron was let go, and the group continued with Wells and Hutton fronting the band and Paul Kingery was brought back on guitar to cover Chuck's vocal harmonies. In 1986, their song "In My Heart" was featured in Robotech: The Movie . More changes in personnel occurred when guitarist T. J. Parker and vocalist and bassist Gary Moon replaced Kingery and Manzo in 1988, and were replaced themselves by Mike Cuneo and Richard Campbell during 1989. Allsup returned to
777-516: The instigation of Wells in late 1975. He was replaced by Jay Gruska . Hours before the first concert of their 1975 tour, Negron was arrested for the possession of narcotics but was soon released on $ 10,000 bond. Coming Down Your Way , released in May 1975, failed to sell well in the United States, likely due to poor promotion on account of the band's recently switched label, ABC , and the growing popularity of disco music. Disappointed by this,
SECTION 20
#1732875979459814-479: The last incarnation of Blues Image, also became a solo CCM artist. Pinera released several solo albums, including In the Garden of Eden . Kent Henry died on March 18, 2009, at the age of 60. Joe Lala died of complications from lung cancer on March 18, 2014, at the age of 66. Mike Pinera died of liver failure on November 20, 2024, at the age of 76. The group can briefly be seen performing " Ride Captain Ride " in
851-514: The newspaper and arrested her for failure to complete her community service from a past drunk driving conviction. Fairchild was sentenced to 90 days. In 2002, Fairchild told the Los Angeles Times that her sentence had triggered a pledge of sobriety. Friends told reporters that Fairchild remained sober until her death in 2015. She spent the later years of her life living in single-room hotels in downtown Los Angeles using her Social Security disability payments. She died from liver cancer at
888-653: The originators of the Statue dance, which had already spread to some public dance venues. During the 1960s, Fairchild lived with her then-boyfriend Danny Hutton , the lead singer of Three Dog Night , for several years. Despite some disagreement about the veracity of the claim, Fairchild was credited with conceiving the band's name, Three Dog Night. Fairchild co-starred in Head , a vehicle for The Monkees , in 1968; in Drive, He Said , directed by Jack Nicholson ; and Pretty Maids All in
925-738: The recording of Open , with Henry becoming his official replacement on guitar and new lead singer Denny Correll handling vocals. The band broke up after the release of their third album, Red White & Blues Image , in May 1970. The various members of Blues Image went on to become parts of other rock bands. Bertematti later played and recorded with the New Cactus Band and toured with Iron Butterfly, Chi Coltrane , and Bobby Womack . Pinera also played with Iron Butterfly, New Cactus Band, Ramatam , and Alice Cooper . Konte joined Three Dog Night , and Lala played with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young . Lala's percussion work also figures prominently on
962-497: The recording of three songs, including " Time to Get Alone " and " Darlin' ", this motion was halted by his bandmates, who wanted Brian to focus on the Beach Boys' contractual obligations. According to Negron, due to the commercial failure of Smiley Smile and Wilson's waning commitment to his band, "the other Beach Boys wanted Brian's immense songwriting and producing talents used strictly to enhance their own careers". Negron later noted that he would have acted similarly had he been in
999-606: The same position as the Beach Boys. Shortly after abandoning the Redwood moniker in 1968, the vocalists hired a group of backing musicians – Ron Morgan on guitar, Floyd Sneed on drums, Joe Schermie from the Cory Wells Blues Band on bass, and Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards – and soon took the name Three Dog Night. Morgan left the band before its first album was recorded and subsequently joined the Electric Prunes . Michael Allsup
1036-437: The show, June Fairchild and fellow dancer Mimi Machu created the Statue dance, a fad dance in which the dancers adopt stationary poses for a measure or two before shifting to new poses. The dance was performed on a number of episodes, including the one broadcast on November 6, 1965, in which Tommy Sands performed his record "The Statue", a song about the dance. Host Sam Riddle's introduction acknowledged Fairchild and Machu as
1073-585: The summer of 2012, guitarist Allsup was hospitalized for an intestinal disorder, forcing Kingery to move back to guitar, while Danny's son Timothy Hutton played bass. This happened again during the summer of 2015 when Allsup was forced to miss some shows. On March 11, 2015, Jimmy Greenspoon died from cancer, aged 67. His place at the keyboards was taken by Eddie Reasoner who had substituted for him when he took ill in mid-2014. On October 21, 2015, Cory Wells died at his home in Dunkirk, New York , at age 74. In November 2015,
1110-522: The youthful role of Arthur in the college production of Shakespeare's The Life and Death of King John in April 1965. By mid-1965 Fairchild had been hired as a member of the Gazzarri Dancers on the syndicated variety show Hollywood A Go-Go after being recruited by the show's executive producer Al Burton. She remained on the show until its final episode, broadcast in February 1966. While on
1147-691: Was an American dancer and actress. Fairchild starred or co-starred in more than a dozen film roles before her addictions to drugs and alcohol effectively ended her professional acting career. Fairchild was born June Edna Wilson on September 3, 1946, in Manhattan Beach, California . Her father was a musician who specialized in writing gospel songs and music. Fairchild was raised in Manhattan Beach and graduated in 1964 from Aviation High School in Redondo Beach . She attended El Camino College and acted
Three Dog Night - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-409: Was briefly poised to be one of the first artists signed to the Beach Boys' Brother Records . According to Beach Boy Mike Love , "[Brian] had them in the studio for several days, and he was really funny. They didn't meet up to his expectations. ... They'd go in and they wouldn't sing well enough for him. ... but they went off and made billions." Wilson attempted to produce an album for Redwood, but after
1221-439: Was featured on It's a Jungle and stayed until 1984. Two guitarists, Paul Kingery and Steve Ezzo, occasionally played with the band, filling in for Allsup on dates he was not able to make between 1982 and 1984. Ezzo replaced Allsup when he departed in late 1984 to take care of some personal and family matters. Sneed was let go from the band at the same time. Also in late 1984, keyboardist David Bluefield filled in for Greenspoon, who
1258-411: Was ill. But Bluefield was replaced in 1985 by Rick Seratte (formerly of Poco and later with Whitesnake and others) and the band hit the road with a revised lineup that included Seratte, Steve Ezzo, bassist Scott Manzo and drummer Mike Keeley. The band toured all through 1985, but Seratte left to pursue other offers and Greenspoon rejoined the band with Negron in late 1985 and were both back touring with
1295-503: Was quickly recruited to replace Morgan on guitar. Three Dog Night made its official debut in 1968 at the Whisky a Go Go , at a 5 p.m. press party hosted by Dunhill Records . They were still in the process of making their first album Three Dog Night when they heard the favorable reactions from the hypercritical audience. The album Three Dog Night was a success with its hit songs "Nobody", " Try A Little Tenderness ", and " One " and helped
1332-468: Was released in April 1970 and included the single " Ride Captain Ride ." Written by Pinera and Konte, it featured Kent Henry on guitar solo and fills, with Pinera playing solo at the end. The album sold over one million copies, and earned a gold record from the R.I.A.A. in August 1970. It was Blues Image's only charting hit. Pinera left the band to join Iron Butterfly in the fall of 1969, during
1369-569: Was replaced by Jack Ryland shortly thereafter, and the band then became an eight-piece with the inclusion of former Blues Image member Skip Konte as a second keyboardist in late 1973. In late 1974, Allsup and Sneed left to form a new band, SS Fools, with Schermie and Bobby Kimball (later of Toto ). New guitarist James "Smitty" Smith and drummer Mickey McMeel were recruited, but by 1975, Smith had been replaced by Al Ciner from Rufus and The American Breed , and Ryland by Rufus bassist Dennis Belfield. Mickey McMeel would go on to co-star as "Turkey",
#458541