Three Dog Night Singer Cory Wells Dies at 74 (2024)

Cory Wells, one of the founding members of 1970s hitmakers Three Dog Night, has died at age 74.

The death of Wells — one of the group's three lead singers — was announced on the band's official website.

Three Dog Night Singer Cory Wells Dies at 74 (1)

Longtime bandmate Danny Hutton said that Wells died "unexpectedly" Tuesday in Dunkirk, New York. He said that Wells had been performing with the group until developing severe back pain in September.

"Cory was an incredible singer, a great performer, he could sing anything," Hutton said in a statement. "Cory was like a brother in so many ways... I am in shock at this sudden loss."

Three Dog Night formed in the late 1960s and racked up 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, including "Joy to the World" and "One."

Three Dog Night Singer Cory Wells Dies at 74 (2)

The group's singers rotated, with Wells record vocals for "Shambala" and the No. 1 hit "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)."

Wells — born Emil Lewandowski on Feb. 2, 1941 in Buffalo — joined the Air Force directly out of high school. He formed a band while in the service and went on to play with other groups in his hometown after leaving the military.

He met Hutton — then a solo artist — after both were invited to tour with Sonny and Cher. Three Dog Night — named after a story about Australian aborigines in the cold outback seeking warmth — was formed after that tour.

Various iterations of the group have stayed on the road performing for 40 years.

The band said that in addition to music, Wells was passionate about fishing — filming several episodes of "The American Sportsman" and participating in charity fishing tournaments around the country.

News of Wells' death prompted tributes from the world of music and far beyond.

Sen. Chuck Schumer called his music "part of the fabric of American," while Motley Crue’s Vince Neil called Wells a “man with inspiration.”

#rip Cory Wells, a man with inspiration. You will be missed but your music will live on in our hearts and souls. https://t.co/8dlKpSOlxI

—Vince Neil (@thevinceneil) October 22, 2015

Wells is survived by his wife, two daughters and five grandchildren.

His death comes just over six months after the band's original keyboard player, Jimmy Greenspoon, died from cancer.

Three Dog Night Singer Cory Wells Dies at 74 (3)
Three Dog Night Singer Cory Wells Dies at 74 (2024)

FAQs

How did Cory Wells pass away? ›

Death. Wells died in his sleep on October 20, 2015, at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, New York at the age of 74. His family later confirmed he had been fighting multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Is Cory Wells from Three Dog Night still alive? ›

What members of Three Dog Night have passed away? ›

Cory Wells, one of the founding members of Three Dog Night, has died at the age of 74. The band appeared in the MontBleu Theatre at Lake Tahoe the last two summers. Wells experienced back pain a few weeks before he died suddenly Oct. 20, 2015, at his home in Dunkirk, New York, according to the Associated Press.

What happened to the three lead singers of Three Dog Night? ›

The founding members and lead vocalists of Three Dog Night were Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron, and actually two out of the three, Hutton and Negron are both still alive; however, only one is still in the band.

How old was Junior Wells when he died? ›

Junior Wells, 63, whose powerful harmonica playing and singing helped shape Chicago blues and influenced generations of rock-and-roll stars, died Jan. 15 at a hospital after a heart attack.

How much was Cory Wells worth when he died? ›

Cory Wells net worth: Cory Wells was an American singer who had a net worth of $4 million. Cory Wells was born in February 1941 in Buffalo, New York and passed away in October 2015.

Is Floyd Sneed still alive? ›

How old is Corey Wells? ›

Was Cory Wells married? ›

Who was the best singer in Three Dog Night? ›

Negron, 76, was the top dog – lead singer – in Three Dog Night and he showed Monday in Savannah Center he can still howl with the best of 'em. Your browser can't play this video.

What caused the breakup of Three Dog Night? ›

In 1975, Three Dog Night suddenly broke up. The reason, Wells said, was because the band had not held true to its "original idea or concept." "Some of the guys went off in directions that were not conducive to my lifestyle," said Wells, choosing his words carefully.

Is Chuck Negron ill? ›

To clarify any misinformation: Chuck is in good health. However, he has a pre-existing lung condition that involves COPD and very damaged lungs. That combined with his age puts him in the high risk category for covid 19 complications.

What happened to Cory Wells eye? ›

Actually, he got hit in the eye with a baseball as a kid. Wow, never knew that.

What was Cory Wells real name? ›

He was born Emil Lewandowski on Feb. 2, 1941, in Buffalo and raised by a single mother. (Reportedly, the name Wells was a variation of his birth father's name, and Cory the name of a band manager's son.)

What happened to the bass player of Three Dog Night? ›

Schermie died of a heart attack in 2002, at age 56.

Did Buddy Guy play with Junior Wells? ›

Wells performed and recorded with various notable blues musicians, including Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, and Buddy Guy.

Who did Junior Wells play with? ›

Wells was best known for his performances and recordings with Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker and Buddy Guy. He also performed with Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and Van Morrison.

When was Junior Wells born? ›

Junior Wells, original name Amos Blackmore, (born December 9, 1934, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.—died January 15, 1998, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.), American blues singer and harmonica player who was one of the musicians who introduced electric Chicago blues to international audiences and, from 1965, was one of the most ...

How much is Dawn Wells estate worth? ›

What was Dawn Wells' Net Worth? Dawn Wells was an American actress who had a net worth of $50 thousand at the time of her death in December 2020. Dawn Wells was best-known for playing the role of Mary Ann on "Gilligan's Island", a role that would later become iconic.

What was Willie Dixon net worth when he died? ›

Willie Dixon net worth: Willie Dixon was an American blues musician, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer who had a net worth of $2 million. Willie Dixon was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in July 1915 and passed away in January 1992.

What does the line Jeremiah was a bullfrog mean? ›

Axton explained in the Oregon News-Review: "Jeremiah was an expedient of the time. I had the chorus for three months. I took a drink of wine, leaned on the speaker, and said 'Jeremiah was a bullfrog. ' It was meaningless. It was a temporary lyric.

What happened to the black drummer in Three Dog Night? ›

Floyd Sneed, the Canadian drummer who powered a string of 1970s hits with Three Dog Night and provided backup vocals for one of the band's biggest hits, died January 27. He was 80. His death was announced on the band's Facebook page. A cause of death was not specified.

Who is the current drummer for Three Dog Night? ›

Who was the black singer in Three Dog Night? ›

Three Dog Night is an American rock band formed in 1967, founded by vocalists Danny Hutton, Cory Wells, and Chuck Negron.

Does Corey have a brother? ›

Eric Matthews. Eric Randall Matthews (Will Friedle) is the elder brother of Cory, Morgan, and Joshua Matthews.

Who is Chuck Negron married to now? ›

How old is Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night? ›

Does Corey Hart have children? ›

Where did Cory Wells grow up? ›

In an interview with The News in 2012, Wells spoke about growing up on the East Side of Buffalo, where he was born as Emil Lewandowski. He was raised by a single mother who struggled financially, Wells said.

What songs did Cory Wells sing lead on? ›

Cory Wells, a founding member of the popular 1970s band Three Dog Night and lead singer on such hits as “Never Been to Spain” and “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” died Oct. 20 in Dunkirk, N.Y.

What does the road to Shambala mean? ›

The lyrics refer to a situation where kindness and cooperation are universal, joy and good fortune abound, and psychological burdens are lifted. The phrases "in the halls of Shambala" and "on the road to Shambala" tie for number of occurrences in the lyrics.

What does the term Three Dog Night mean? ›

What Your Dog Needs on a “Three-Dog-Night” Some say it originated in the Australian Outback. Others point to Alaska or Siberia as the source. No matter where it came from, the expression “three-dog-night” means a night so bitterly cold you'd need three dogs in bed with you to keep you warm.

What happened between Chuck Negron and Three Dog Night? ›

Though Three Dog Night's popularity had fizzled by the late '70s, Negron did not officially part ways with the band until 1985. By then, "I was in dire straits," he says. "I was spending every penny I made in the band for drugs. I bought a new car ... and everything else went to drugs."

How many original members are there in Three Dog Night? ›

As the next step in his musical career, Hutton formed Three Dog Night with vocalists Chuck Negron and Cory Wells, a pop group with a unique three-vocalist attack that would go on to international stardom.

Why did 3 dog night breakup? ›

In 1975, Three Dog Night suddenly broke up. The reason, Wells said, was because the band had not held true to its "original idea or concept." "Some of the guys went off in directions that were not conducive to my lifestyle," said Wells, choosing his words carefully.

What happened to the rock group Three Dog Night? ›

I gave Three Dog Night its first million-seller [”One”] and its last, in 1976, “The Show Must Go On.” Danny and Joe Schermie eventually got fired, both because of drugs. The very last show we did at the Greek Theater in like, 1976, the only three remaining members were myself, Cory [Wells] and Jimmy Greenspoon.

How many of Three Dog Night are still alive? ›

Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells formed Three Dog Night, and two members of the band are still alive today, but only one of them, Negron, is still around to sing. Between 1969 and 1975, the band's Billboard Top 40 hits included three No. 1 singles (all of which were recorded by this band).

Is Three Dog still alive? ›

By 2287, Three Dog had vanished under unknown circ*mstances but his legacy lived on. After his disappearance, Phil Goodman, also known as "The Ghoul of Cool," took over his duties as a DJ and the main advocate of the "Good Fight".

Who is the black guy in the Three Dog Night? ›

Floyd Chester Sneed (November 22, 1942 – January 27, 2023) was a Canadian drummer, best known for his work with the band Three Dog Night. Born on November 22, 1942, in Calgary, Sneed grew up in a musical family (his parents were both musicians at their church) and became interested in drums at an early age.

How old is Cory Wells? ›

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