Chuck Negron, a founding member of the popular rock band Three Dog Night, has died at the age of 83. Negron, whose lead vocals powered many of the band's biggest hits, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, at his home in Studio City, California. His publicist, Zach Farnum, confirmed that the cause of death was complications from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Negron had been battling heart failure in his final months and had lived with COPD for over three decades.

Born Charles Negron II on June 8, 1942, in Manhattan, New York City, Negron's musical journey began in his childhood. He grew up in the Bronx, singing in local doo-wop groups and playing basketball. His father, Charles Negron, was a Puerto Rican nightclub singer. Negron was recruited to play basketball at Allan Hancock College and later at California State University, Los Angeles.

In 1967, Negron, along with Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, formed Three Dog Night, a vocal trio that blended R&B, rock 'n' roll, and urban doo wop. The band quickly rose to prominence, achieving their first million-selling single, "One," in 1969. Negron's distinctive voice became synonymous with the band's signature sound, leading them to a string of top 40 hits and selling 60 million records during their first decade. Among the many hits Negron sang lead on were "Joy to the World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog)," "Easy To Be Hard," "An Old Fashioned Love Song," and "The Show Must Go On".

However, Negron's struggles with drug addiction led to his dismissal from Three Dog Night in late 1985. His personal battles contributed to the band's breakup. After his departure, Negron dedicated himself to recovery and eventually returned to music in the 1990s, launching a solo career. He candidly shared his experiences in his autobiography, "Three Dog Nightmare".

Despite being estranged for decades, Negron and Danny Hutton recently reconciled. According to Negron's representative, the two met last year to exchange apologies and bury the hatchet. Hutton mentioned in a December interview that the meeting and reconciliation occurred during the making of a documentary about the band.

Negron was married to his manager, Ami Albea, on May 9, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the wedding took place on the balcony of their home. He had a daughter, Annabelle Negron, with actress Kate Vernon, and actor and comedian Taylor Negron was his cousin. He is survived by his wife, Ami Albea and daughters.

Chuck Negron's legacy as a defining voice of Three Dog Night and his contributions to rock music will be remembered by fans worldwide.