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37-693: Cory Wells (born Emil Lewandowski ; February 5, 1941 – October 20, 2015) was an American singer, best known as one of the three lead vocalists in the band Three Dog Night . Wells came from a musical family and began playing in Buffalo, New York -area bands in his teens. His biological father, who was married to someone other than his mother, died when Cory was a small child, leaving his mother to struggle financially until she eventually married. She gave Cory her birth surname, although Cory eventually changed his surname to Wells (a shortened version of his birth father's surname, Wellsley). His full stage name "Cory Wells"

74-517: 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

111-602: 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

148-459: A band of interracial musical performers, inspired by his boyhood love of a similar popular band called The Del-Vikings , who had a national hit with the doo-wop song, " Come Go with Me ". Following his military tour of duty, Wells returned to Buffalo and was asked to join a band named the Vibratos. Gene Jacobs, the brother-in-law of the Vibratos guitar player, Mike Lustan, suggested to him that

185-502: A falling out with Negron left Hutton and Wells with the name "Three Dog Night" as an entity, and the pair (along with original member Mike Allsup ) toured regularly each year. Original member Jimmy Greenspoon also toured with Three Dog Night until his diagnosis of metastatic melanoma in late 2014, which led to his death on March 11, 2015. Wells died in his sleep on October 20, 2015, at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, New York at

222-456: 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

259-424: 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 It%27s a Jungle It's a Jungle is an EP by American rock band Three Dog Night , released in 1983. A music video

296-501: 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 a dingo ,

333-534: The Vibratos travel to California if they were serious about making it in music. They took his advice and changed the name of the band to " The Enemys ." They soon began working the clubs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Sacramento, and they became the house band at the Whisky a Go Go . They were also featured in the television shows The Beverly Hillbillies , Burke's Law , Riot on Sunset Strip , and

370-496: The age of 74. His family later confirmed he had been fighting multiple myeloma , a form of blood cancer, since September, which had led to Three Dog Night cancelling a string of performances for the remainder of the year. He was survived by Mary Jane Catalano, his wife of 50 years. They had two daughters, Dawn Marie and CoryAnn, and five grandchildren. His death came seven months after that of original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon . Three Dog Night The commentary included in

407-543: 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

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444-533: 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

481-838: 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

518-674: The band with Negron in late 1985 and were both back touring with 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

555-466: 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

592-512: 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

629-522: The film Harper , with Paul Newman. While at the Whisky a Go Go, Cher asked the band to tour with Sonny & Cher . It was on this tour that Wells met Danny Hutton , a former songwriter/performer for Hanna-Barbera Productions who became his future partner in the rock band Three Dog Night. The Enemys had minor hits with recordings of "Hey Joe" and "Sinner Man". Wells moved to Phoenix in 1967 where he formed The Cory Wells Blues Band, whose bass player

666-634: 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

703-461: The growing popularity of disco music. Disappointed by this, 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,

740-462: 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

777-464: The lavish lifestyles of many other successful rock stars; rather, he chose to live a somewhat more moderate existence. After Three Dog Night broke up in 1976, Wells tried a solo career, recording the albums Touch Me (1978) and Ahead of the Storm (1979) for A&M Records . Wells helped re-launch Three Dog Night in the early-1980s, recording an EP called It's a Jungle , released in 1983. In 1985,

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814-464: The most successful bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Wells sang the lead vocal on Three Dog Night's Billboard No. 1 hit song "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" . He said that Randy Newman , who wrote the song, later called him on the phone and said: "I just want to thank you for putting my kids through college." Unlike many other rock musicians of the day, Wells managed to abstain from alcohol and other drugs. Also, he didn't squander his earnings on

851-500: The name "Redwood" with Wilson as producer. The sessions produced a potential single, " Time to Get Alone ," but Beach Boy member Mike Love wanted to save the song for the next Beach Boys album . Having perfected their three-part harmony sound, Wells, Hutton and Negron added a four-piece backing group consisting of guitarist Michael Allsup , organist Jimmy Greenspoon , bassist Joe Schermie, and drummer Floyd Sneed . The group began performing as Three Dog Night in 1968, and became one of

888-483: The only single released off the album, " Everybody's 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

925-476: The original members, except Joe Schermie, who was succeeded by future Rick Springfield bassist Mike Seifrit until 1982, and then by Richard Grossman, who 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

962-419: The police believe was a mob dispute over Three Dog Night." Joe Ulloa, 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

999-499: 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

1036-630: 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

1073-539: 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,

1110-554: Was actually in love with each, when in reality, it was only a plot to get rid of them. The video ends with a shot of her sitting alone in the "watering hole", having tricked and scared off every man who was interested in her. The video was released on the Stet recording label and received "Light" and "Medium" screenplay. Another video was recorded for "Shot in the Dark", directed by David Minasian . Although never commercially released, it

1147-410: 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

Cory Wells - Misplaced Pages Continue

1184-568: Was future Three Dog Night bass player, Joe Schermetzler (stage name Joe Schermie). In 1968, Wells returned to Hollywood where he "couch-surfed" while Danny Hutton worked to convince him of the feasibility of forming a group with three lead singers and a back-up band. Hutton and Wells formed Three Dog Night in 1968. They found a third lead singer in Chuck Negron , whom Hutton had met at a Hollywood party. Hutton, Wells, and Negron met The Beach Boys ' Brian Wilson , and they recorded demos under

1221-466: Was let go from the band at the same time. Also in late 1984, keyboardist David Bluefield filled in for Greenspoon, who 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

1258-457: 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

1295-407: Was released accompanying the single off the album, "It's a Jungle Out There". Although the exact meaning is disputed, it shows an attractive woman in a "watering hole" being flirted with by the band's three lead vocalists and other bystanders. After the woman has had enough, she goes on dates with the singers and a bystander, then vanishes into thin air while on the date, tricking them into thinking she

1332-569: 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",

1369-545: Was suggested by The Enemys' first manager, Gene Jacobs, who had a son named Cory. Having survived childhood in a low-income, blue-collar neighborhood and an even more brutal home environment fueled by an abusive stepfather, this according to manager Joel Cohen's band biography, Three Dog Night And Me, Wells joined the United States Air Force directly out of high school. While in the Air Force, he formed

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