Most of us in our fifties and up remember the hits-laden band, Three Dog Night. For the most part, we had no problem following every single release – of which there were many – on AM Radio stations that played Top40 hits. One of those songs began with “Jeremiah was a bullfrog. Was a good friend of mine.” That one was “Joy To The World”, a song known to probably everyone alive. Three Dog Night survived as a recording band for approximately ten strong studio albums through 1976. They racked up an impressive 21 Top 40 hits, with a string of twelve gold albums. Eventually this band would breakup, and reform without Chuck Negron in the ranks.
On October 20, 2015, Cory Wells died and went to join the Great Band. One of the hallmarks of Three Dog Night was their amazing ability to allow each main component (Cory Wells, Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron) to sing lead on some of their many hits. Cory Wells is best known for his lead vocals on “Mama Told Me (Not To Come)”.
It is sad to see a key part of your youth move on in death. And Cory Wells was a key part. Three Dog Night was sure to have a hit in the countdown almost twice every year, if not more. Cory Wells had still toured Three Dog Night with Danny Hutton for many years. It is more than a breaking sadness to have Cory Wells gone from the lineup. Hopefully, Danny Hutton and Chuck Negron can put whatever ailed them behind them to continue the show. Because, as they put it so well on one of their last Top 40 hit, “The Show Must Go On”.
We will miss you deeply, Cory Wells.
Sings that Cory Wells sang lead on include:
- Try A Little Tenderness
- Eli’s Coming
- Celebrate (Verse 3)
- Mama Told Me (Not To Come)
- Out In The Country (together)
- Never Been To Spain
- The Family Of Man (Verse 3)
- Shambala
- Let Me Serenade You
- Sure As I’m Sittin’ Here
- Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
Cory Wells
1942-2015
RIP