MEMORABLE MONDAYS: Three Dog Night

 Perhaps you may have heard a few radio hits. Perhaps you followed the Beach Boys rather closely and remember their origins. In recent years, beyond a few commercial songs, Three Dog Night seems mostly forgotten. With a catalog and time span of their work, this is a shame. Of course not everything can stand the test of time - but perhaps they are waiting for their turn at the revival parties.

Timothy Hutton actually began as a vocalist with Hanna-Barbera Records in 1964, joined up with Chuck Negron and Cory Wells, who got contracts with Dunhill Records. They made a band in 1967, and called themselves Redwood. They initially recorded with Brian Wilson while the Beach Boys were working on Wild Honey. They were briefly set to be one of the first artists to sign with their Brother Records. Brian Wilson did not end up loving them. He attempted to produce an album for them, but the other Beach Boys' bandmates wanted Brian to focus on his contractual obligations. Negron did not take it personal, and even said if he had been the other bandmembers, he would have felt the same. 

In 1968, they abandoned the Redwood moniker and hired some backing musicians. Ron Morgan on guitar, Floyd Sneed on Drums, Joe Schermie on bass, and Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards. They then took on the name Three Dog Night. Morgan left the band before the first album released, joining the Electric Prunes. Michael Allsup replaced Morgan on guitar. 

Three Dog Night made their debut in 1968 at a press party hosted by Dunhill Records. They were still in the process of working on their debut album, but they were met with great feedback from the audience. The album officially released the same year. Critics noted it was a more sound take on older rock, where the band did songs written by other people and did not write. They had three great voices though. 

1969 brought their second album, Suitable for Framing. Critics noted this album struggled for similar reasons their first had success, that the familiar is less interesting. They lacked a real identity beyond singing other people's music. It did give a hit in "Eli's Coming". The same year they released a live album, Captured Live at the Forum. 

1970 release It Ain't Easy received a better response. Critics felt it returned to their ability to make older songs feel new again. They especially praised their cover of "Mama Told Me Not to Come". Negron had mentioned the original cover was the band members in orange makeup posing nude, but Dunhill rejected the original album cover. In the same year, they released Naturally. This would include hits like Liar, One Man Band, and Joy to the World. 

In 1971, Harmoney was released with fair critical reviews. One critic noted it is hard to not give them credit when they can choose such obscure songs from artists and not make you run back to the original. 1972 brought Seven Separate Fool, which was acclaimed by their original aid Brian Wilson. 

1973 brought bigger issues for the band. They filed a lawsuit against their former booking agent ATI, for continuing to advertise them as part of the agency when they had signed elsewhere. Other damages sought were due to ATI taking deposits for booking the band, whom they no longer represented. Shermie left the band due to unresolvable problems. For the next several albums in this timespan, Hutton was more absent due to a worsening addiction to cocaine and alcohol. It led to his dismissal from the band later. Negron also faced addiction trouble in these times. He has written a biography detailing his deep trouble with heroin and how he got clean later in life. The albums released in this time, Cyan, Hard Labor, and Coming Down Your Way were met with more mixed feedback. Hard Labor faced controversy for the original cover depicting the birth of a record. Due to this, the part of the cover showing this was covered with a bandaid. Future issues made the bandaid part of the cover with no way to take or peel it off. This led to their final release in 1976. American Pastime did not even include the usual backing band. It sold terribly, and the band broke up a few months later.

1981, They attempted to reform. They released a ska-inspired EP titled It's a Jungle. It garnered some airplay on the new wave circuit. Passport Records went bankrupt, affecting the sales of the EP. While the band has not released any new albums since this - they remained together. Minus Negron, who had a relapse and was let go. The band continues to have lineup changes and tour. 

There is certainly nothing wrong with a band who can add flavor to the old and make it feel new again. And if you are looking for just that, Three Dog Night may be your next exciting music experience!