Three Dog Night was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles, California. The group consisted of Cory Wells, Danny Hutton, and Corky Corcoran, who were later joined by Michael Allsup, Floyd Sneed, and Jimmy Greenspoon.
The original lineup was formed by Wells and Hutton, who met while performing in a Los Angeles club. They recruited Corcoran to join the group, and they began performing as a trio.
Their early sound was a mix of rock and roll, blues, and folk, which would eventually become the signature sound of the band.
Band History
Three Dog Night was formed in 1967 by Cory Wells and Danny Hutton in Los Angeles.
The band's name was inspired by a Muddy Waters song, with Hutton choosing the name because it sounded "exotic" and "different."
Their early sound was a mix of blues, folk, and rock, with Wells and Hutton's harmonies taking center stage.
The band's first single, "Nobody", was released in 1967 but didn't gain much attention.
Their breakthrough came in 1968 with the release of "One", which became a hit single and introduced their signature sound.
The band's lineup changed frequently in the early years, with many musicians coming and going.
By 1969, the band had settled on a solid lineup, with Wells, Hutton, and guitarist Cory Wells' brother, Jimmy, being the core members.
Their music often dealt with themes of love, relationships, and social issues.
The band's sound was a unique blend of rock, blues, and pop, which helped them stand out in the late 1960s music scene.
Their popularity peaked in the early 1970s, with hits like "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" and "Joy to the World."
Discography and Credits
Three Dog Night's discography is a treasure trove of their musical journey. They released their debut album, Three Dog Night, in 1968.
Their first few albums, including Suitable for Framing (1969) and Captured Live at the Forum (1969), set the stage for their future success.
These albums showcased the band's ability to craft catchy, memorable songs.
Here's a breakdown of their studio and live albums:
Discography
Three Dog Night's discography spans over a decade, with their first album being released in 1968. The album, also titled "Three Dog Night", was a success with its hit songs "Nobody", "Try A Little Tenderness", and "One".
Let's take a look at their discography:
- Three Dog Night (1968)
- Suitable for Framing (1969)
- Captured Live at the Forum (1969)
- It Ain't Easy (1970)
- Naturally (1970)
- Harmony (1971)
- Seven Separate Fools (1972)
- Cyan (1973)
- Hard Labor (1974)
- Coming Down Your Way (1975)
- American Pastime (1976)
- It's a Jungle (1983)
1973-1979
In 1973, Three Dog Night filed a $6 million lawsuit against their former booking agent, American Talent International (ATI), for continuing to advertise that the band was still with their agency when they had actually signed with William Morris Agency in October 1972.
Joe Schermie left the band in early 1973 due to unresolvable problems.
Three Dog Night then became an eight-piece band with the addition of former Blues Image member Skip Konte as a second keyboardist in late 1973, and new guitarist James "Smitty" Smith and drummer Mickey McMeel were recruited shortly after.
In late 1974, Allsup and Sneed left the band to form a new group, SS Fools, with Schermie and Bobby Kimball.
On a similar theme: Three Dog Night Lead Singer Dies
Mickey McMeel would go on to co-star as "Turkey" in the children's television series The Krofft Supershow.
Hutton was absent from many of the recording sessions for the albums Cyan, Hard Labor, and Coming Down Your Way due to his growing cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Hours before the first concert of their 1975 tour, Negron was arrested for the possession of narcotics but was released on $10,000 bond.
Coming Down Your Way, released in May 1975, failed to sell well in the United States due to poor promotion on account of the band's switched label, ABC, and the growing popularity of disco music.
The band's last Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hit was "Til The World Ends", released from the Coming Down Your Way album.
Jay Gruska joined the band in 1975 and toured with them to promote their last album, American Pastime, released in March 1976.
However, the album did not sell well for the same reasons as before.
The only single released off the album, "Everybody's a Masterpiece", became an adult contemporary hit.
1981-1990s
Three Dog Night reunited in 1981, marking the beginning of a new era for the band.
Their first release after the reunion was the ska-inspired EP "It's a Jungle" in 1983, which featured all original members except Joe Schermie.
The EP was released on the small Passport Records label, but unfortunately, the label went bankrupt, and the EP failed to sell.
The reunion lineup included Mike Seifrit on bass from 1981 to 1982, and Richard Grossman took over from 1982 to 1984.
Paul Kingery and Steve Ezzo occasionally filled in for Cory Allsup on guitar between 1982 and 1984, with Ezzo taking over full-time in late 1984.
In late 1984, keyboardist David Bluefield filled in for Jimmy Greenspoon, who was ill, but was replaced in 1985 by Rick Seratte.
The band's lineup continued to shift, with Scott Manzo on bass and Mike Keeley on drums in 1985, but Seratte left soon after to pursue other opportunities.
Their song "In My Heart" was featured in Robotech: The Movie in 1986, marking a notable achievement for the band during this period.
The band's lineup changed again in 1988, with T. J. Parker and Gary Moon taking over guitar and vocals/bass, respectively.
However, this lineup was short-lived, and Mike Cuneo and Richard Campbell took over in 1989.
Cory Allsup returned to the band in the spring of 1991, replacing Mike Cuneo on guitar.
Pat Bautz took over as drummer in 1993, and Paul Kingery returned to the band as bassist in 1996, replacing Richard Campbell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the phrase "three dog night" come from?
The origin of the phrase "three dog night" is unclear, but it's believed to refer to a bitterly cold night that requires three dogs for warmth. The phrase's exact source is disputed, with possible origins in the Australian Outback, Alaska, or Siberia.
What is the Aboriginal Three Dog Night?
In Australian Aboriginal culture, a Three Dog Night refers to an extremely cold night where a person sleeps with three dogs for warmth. This traditional practice indicates the temperature has dropped to a very low level.
How many of the original Three Dog Night are left?
Two out of the three original lead vocalists of Three Dog Night are still alive, with one of them still actively part of the band.
Sources
- "Band" (threedognight.com)
- "Chuck Negron Michael Artsis Show Interview" (youtube.com)
- "Michael Allsup Website" (michaelallsup.com)
- "ATI Sued by 3 Dog Night" (google.com)
- "Cory Wells, Singer With Three Dog Night, Dies at 74" (nytimes.com)
- "Three Dog Night" (billboard.com)
- Three Dog Night (discogs.com)
- Three Dog Night (allmusic.com)
- Three Dog Night (imdb.com)
- Official website (threedognight.com)
- Three Dog Night (encyclopedia.com)
- Thursday Trivia: Three Dog Night - A Tonk's Tail (atonkstail.com)
- Twitter (twitter.com)
- Read the lyrics. (metrolyrics.com)
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