Cory Wells of Three Dog Night, which was one of the biggest rock bands in the 1970s, died on Tuesday, Oct. 20, his bandmates announced on the group's website. He was 74 years old.
"It is with deep sadness and disbelief that I must report the passing of Cory Wells, my beloved band mate for over 45 years," said Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night in the press release. "Cory was an incredible singer - a great performer, he could sing anything. Cory was like a brother in so many ways. We had been together since 1965 and I am in shock at this sudden loss."
Wells, who was a founding member of the band, was one of thee band's three lead singers. Three Dog Night topped the Billboard Hot 100 thrice with hits "Joy to the World," "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" and "Black and White," according to Billboard.
Wells "died unexpectedly" in Dunkirk, N.Y. He was touring with the band up until September when he started having "severe back pain."
Three Dog Night lost their keyboardist, Jimmy Greenspoon, to cancer at the age of 67 in March. "I will be forever shattered by his death. Jimmy cared so much about excellence in the music and always made sure we had what we needed on stage and in the recording studio. I was amazed by his photographic memory, his love for music," said Wells at the time, according to Fox News.
Wells is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Coryann and Dawn Marie, and five grandchildren.
