'70s Music Legend Behind 'Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog' Dies at 83 After Overcoming Addiction
- - '70s Music Legend Behind 'Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog' Dies at 83 After Overcoming Addiction
Meredith GordonFebruary 3, 2026 at 5:36 AM
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Photo by Michael Ochs Archives on Getty Images
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 children Shaunti Negron Levick, Berry Oakley, Charles Negron III, Charlotte Negron, and Annabelle Negron; nine grandchildren; five nieces; two nephews; and his children’s mothers, Paula Servetti, Julia Negron, Robin Silna, and Kate Vernon.
Negron died at his home in Indio City, California, on Monday, February 2. Through six decades of success and struggle, his large and unconventional family remained the most important part of his life. After decades of estrangement from fellow Three Dog Night founder Danny 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 late Cory 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. Guitarist Michael Allsup and 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 and continue to tour as 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’ notorious Skid Row before getting clean in 1991.
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 chronic COPD for 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, his music, 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 by Parade on Feb 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
