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From a humble Bronx, New York apartment to success and wealth far beyond
anything he could imagine, the Chuck Negron story is an amazing saga. For what
could have ended on a deadly downbeat is today a wonderful story that gives us
all hope and faith that miracles do happen.
Rock-n-Roll first made a difference in Chuck’s life in the late 1950’s. By
the age of 15, he had recorded his first single record and performed at the
world famous Apollo Theater with his vocal group “The Rondells.” A stone cold
dead silence ensued as the curtain rose on the Rondells. “We were not just the
only white group on the bill,” Negron recalls, “we were the only white people in
the building. But by our second verse, something magical happened. The audience
started to cheer us on.” That night Negron learned an important lesson, that
music transcends all barriers and differences that people might have. “That’s
the power of music.” Soon after his Apollo triumph, the teenage Chuck Negron and
the Rondells began haunting Manhattan’s famous Brill Building. “I came to
believe that the difference between a good singer and a great singer was the
songs they sang. I looked to see who was writing the great hits of the early
rock-n-roll years. The same names came up over and over again; Leiber and
Stoller, Goffin and King, Mann and Weil, Bacharach and David, among others.”
They would go from office to office in hopes of meeting some of these great
writers to sing for them. They performed 10 to 20 times a day for publishers as
well as record companies.
By 1961, it was decision time for his future. Chuck had received several
scholarships to play college basketball. In addition, he had a desire to pursue
a music career. Chuck decided to do both. He accepted an athletic scholarship
from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, which was just a few
hours from Hollywood. Chuck was later recruited by Bill Sharman, coach at Cal
State, Los Angeles, a “stones throw” from Hollywood and the recording industry.
Now in California, attending college and playing basketball, obtaining a
recording contract was next on Chuck’s agenda. Columbia records came calling
after Chuck and the Sorenson Brothers had radio success in central California
with two single releases, “Sharon Lee” on the Marlinda Records and “I Dream Of
An Angel” on the Heart Van Label. In 1965, Columbia Records signed Chuck
Negron-Rondell to a recording contract. With his hoop life now behind him,
Negron arrived in Hollywood to make a reputation as a recording artist and
performer. “I learned a great deal while on Columbia. The producers and A&R
people had total control. They picked all my songs, the arrangements and
ultimately how the world would see me. I learned you must be more than just a
singer. You must be able to define yourself in some special way. A unique vocal
style, image or presence, through your song writing, or ability to pick great
songs, arrange and produce them.”
In 1967, Chuck Negron became a founding member of Three Dog Night. A vocal
trio whose roots would be in R&B, rock-n-roll and urban doo wop, but, whose
music would be totally new and unique. Chuck felt one thing might be missing.
Great Songs! Chuck went back to the publishers who represented the great writers
he loved as a teenager. These publishers would also introduce Chuck to new, up
and coming writers. Chuck brought Harry Nilsson’s “One” (Is The Loneliest
Number) to the group. Chuck also selected and sang lead on Elton John’s first
song to be released in the U.S., “Lady Samantha.” He also picked and sang Paul
Williams’ “Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Out In The Country,” Laura Nyro’s
“Eli’s Coming,” David Loggins’ “Pieces of April” and Hoyt Axton’s, “Joy To The
World.” Chuck also discovered many other new writers as well. Built around the
pop soul vocals of Negron and Wells, great songs, brilliant musicians and a
powerful three part harmony – few bands were as consistently popular in concert
or on the music charts. In an era when Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and
Motown were competing for chart position, TDN dominated the charts and sold 50
million records by 1975 – 90 million records sold to date.
The world was introduced to Chuck Negron and Three Dog Night in 1969 by the
breakthrough – and the band’s first million seller “One.” Driven by Chuck
Negron’s solo lead vocals on 4 million selling singles, three #1 records, (one which topped the charts for six weeks,
“Joy To The World,”) five top 5 hits and seven top 40 hits, Negron put and kept
Three Dog Night on the charts for six years. His soaring, soulful, four octave
range and unique vocal styling became a part of the American landscape. His gut
wrenching performance on the band’s follow up hit to “One”, “Easy To Be Hard” is
now a pop classic, as is his beautiful and smooth vocal on “Old Fashioned Love
Song.” Chuck’s unmistakable voice exclaiming “Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog” on the
multi-Grammy nominated and 1971 Record Of The Year, “Joy To The World” is today
a part of Americana, securing a place for Chuck Negron as one of the great
singers in rock and pop.
While Chuck was with Three Dog Night they had a phenomenal 18 consecutive top
20 hits, 21 top 40 hits, 8 top 10 hits and 4 number one hits - not to mention 5
top 10 albums and 11 top 20 albums. “We were a self-contained band who performed
all the music on our records,” Negron explained. “We picked all the songs,
arranged them and were totally involved in production. We never had an A&R
person or any record company interference. The band contractually had artistic
control.” Few bands were as popular in concert. They pioneered stadium
extravaganzas, prompting Rolling Stone Magazine in its 1972 cover story to
exclaim “More Gold Than The Stones!” “Bigger Crowds Than Credence!” “Fatter
Purses Than Elvis!” Some of their opening acts were the likes of Rod Stewart,
Aerosmith, ELO and co-headliner billing with Led Zeppelin.
By 1975, two original members were unable to continue and had to be replaced.
In fact, the sex, drugs, rock n roll existence, had taken its toll. Soldiering
on after their last million selling single, ironically titled “The Show Must Go
On,” the band released their last top forty hit “Til The World Ends” which
reached number 32 on the pop charts. Both recordings were selected, arranged and
sung by Chuck.
Chuck Negron had a great career within the band’s career. He gave the group
their first million seller and fittingly their last. Three Dog Night called it
quits in 19772.
Chuck’s best selling book “Three Dog Nightmare” chronicles his personal life and death struggle with
addiction and the miracle that saved his life on September 17, 1991. Chuck has
remained clean and sober ever since.
“In 1994, I studied voice for the first time in my life! I wanted to learn
and be better than I had ever been. I discovered a new and wonderful passion for
life and my music.” Chuck dedicated himself to a strenuous training regiment
that made him stronger than he has ever been. “Live performances can often be
like an athletic event, if you’re giving the audience everything you have.”
Negron explains with a laugh, “I still train and utilize my vocal coach whenever
necessary.” Negron performs upwards of 70 shows a year giving audiences the
opportunity to hear his impressive volume of hits plus an exciting repertoire of
new songs from his 4 solo CD’s. “Am I Still In Your Heart” was his first solo
release in 1995. Then came a beautiful Christmas CD “Joy To The World” released
in 1996. Chuck spent over two years writing his book “Three Dog Nightmare” and
recorded the accompanying soundtrack CD entitled “The Long Road Back.” His
fourth solo effort was “Chuck Negron – Live In Concert” recorded at Southern
Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Chuck will be recording his fifth CD and
filming his first DVD scheduled for release in 2004.
“I would have nothing without the people who cared for me and helped me
find my way,” Negron says. Chuck remains active with several of the organizations
whose aim is to keep drugs out of the music industry. Chuck also spends
time helping the addicted. Cri-Help in North Hollywood, California has
been most important to Chuck’s on going recovery. “I’ve been singing, performing
and recording for over 40 years. I’ve always been grateful for my voice
and my life as a musician. I look at it as a gift from God. It has afforded
me the opportunity to touch so many people in such a beautiful way. Music
has brought me joy, inner peace and comfort that I thrive on. I feel very
blessed to be in the game again.”
1 As reflected On “The Billboard”, “Cashbox”
and “Record World” Charts
2 Chuck Negron is no longer a part of Three Dog Night’s
current line up who continues to tour today.
3 St. Martins Press – Released 1999
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