THREE DOG NIGHT's hits wind through the fabric of pop culture today, whether on the radio where they are heard day in and day out, in TV commercials or in major motion pictures -- songs like "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)", "Joy to the World," "Shambala", "One" and "Black and White" serve to heighten our emotions and crystallize THREE DOG NIGHT's continuing popularity.
This Grammy-nominated band is not content resting on their legacy alone. Always working to expand their audiences, THREE DOG NIGHT has embraced and been embraced by 21st century music technology: New fans buy their music on iTunes, as well as at record stores, and on Facebook, MySpace, iLike and LastFM where they have gotten well over 3,000,000 music plays to date and that number is growing rapidly.
This year, the group added to their vast catalogue with the release of "Icon" on Geffen Records, giving fans – new and old – a new chance to experience their mix of instantly familiar tunes with customary impeccable harmonies and exciting arrangements that define THREE DOG NIGHT's signature sound.
THREE DOG NIGHT maintains an aggressive, year-round touring schedule of over 80 dates a year. Their well-loved hits, delivered in their unmistakable style, are performed for audiences spanning generations, by founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals, as well as original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and guitarist Michael Allsup. Paul Kingery (bass and vocals) and Pat Bautz (drums) complete the lineup.
Originally brought together in 1968 by Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, the group was enormously successful from the start. Hutton, who had graduated from loading and unloading records at the Disney studio to recording as a solo artist, met Cory Wells while he was touring with Sonny and Cher. The now-famous name came from a story about Australian aborigines who, on cold nights in the outback, sleep with their dogs for warmth. The coldest evenings are known as "three dog nights".
Boasting chart and sales records that are virtually unmatched in popular music, THREE DOG NIGHT had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, 18 straight Top 20's, 11 Top 10's, 3 number 1's, 7 million-selling singles and 12 straight RIAA Certified Gold LPs. Their hits appeared on best selling charts in all genres (pop, rock and country). Their records continue to sell around the world, reaching beyond the borders of the U.S. into Japan, Canada, Holland, England, Germany, Spain and elsewhere. Tens of millions of THREE DOG NIGHT records have been sold through the years.
THREE DOG NIGHT recorded the music of the best (and mostly undiscovered) new songwriters of their time including Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Elton John, Laura Nyro, Paul Williams and Hoyt Axton among many others. The group's eclectic taste, combined with their ability to recognize and record hits in a unique, distinctive and appealing style, resulted in THREE DOG NIGHT dominating best-selling charts for years.
The group toured extensively in the years after it was founded, but in 1975, the non-stop concerts and hit-making took its toll. According to Cory Wells, "we just quietly backed out of the picture". Their desire to "get away" from the hectic world of pop music was relatively short-lived however, and by 1981 they discovered that they wanted to perform again. "The old magic was still there", noted Danny. Audiences agree.
Now, after over 40 years on the road, THREE DOG NIGHT continues to grow its fan base and develop new ways of doing business. In 2011 they are pursuing an extensive schedule of concerts at theatres, performing arts centers, fairs, festivals, corporate events, and casinos. Since 1986, they have performed over 2,000 shows including two Super Bowls. And, in another step forward, THREE DOG NIGHT is recording and releasing new material in 2011.
