Chuck Negron, founding member of '70s rock band Three Dog Night, died peacefully Monday at the age of 83. The acclaimed musician and notorious rock star was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife,Ami Albea Negron; his childrenShaunti Negron Levick,Berry Oakley,Charles Negron III,Charlotte Negron, andAnnabelle Negron; nine grandchildren; five nieces; two nephews; and his children's mothers,Paula Servetti,Julia Negron,Robin Silna, andKate Vernon.
Negron died at his home in Indio City, California, on Monday, February 2. Through six decades ofsuccessand struggle, his large and unconventional family remained the most important part of his life. After decades of estrangement from fellow Three Dog Night founderDanny Hutton, the two men met last year to bury the hatchet.
Chuck Negron and the Rise of Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night was founded in 1967 by Negron, Danny Hutton, and the lateCory Wells. The vocal trio focused on out-of-the-box harmonies and cutting-edge production, making them one of the most successful bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s. GuitaristMichael Allsupand the late musicians Jimmy Greenspoon,Joe Schermie, and Floyd Sneed later joined the group. Hutton and Allsup are the last living members of the original band andcontinue to touras Three Dog Night.
Negron's lead vocals appear on classics such as "Joy to the World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog)," "One (Is the Loneliest Number)," "The Show Must Go On," "Easy to Be Hard," and "Old Fashioned Love Song." Rampant drug use and internal friction ultimately stymied the band's success at its peak. Negron squandered much of his fortune on drugs, eventually ending up on Los Angeles' notoriousSkid Rowbefore getting clean in 1991.
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Solo Career, Memoir, and Legacy
Negron went on to have a successful solo career, releasing seven albums between 1995 and 2017. He also released a highly acclaimed book,Three Dog Nightmare, in 1999, offering an honest account of the highs and lows of his life while taking responsibility for his downfalls and shortcomings on his path to rehabilitation.
Despite suffering from chronicCOPDfor three decades, Negron continued to tour extensively, proudly displaying his iconic vocal abilities up through his final performances. In his last months, he battled a heart condition in addition to chronic COPD. His resilience, hismusic, and his family serve as a testament to his perseverance and long-lasting legacy.
An exact cause of death was not given.
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This story was originally published byParadeon Feb 3, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
