Dr. Hook’s Final Original Member Dennis Locorriere Has Died

The longest living, and longest serving original member of the country rock band Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show (later known simply as Dr. Hook) has died. Dennis Locorriere joined the band as the bass player and became the group’s lead singer. He passed away on May 16th from complications from kidney disease, marking an end of an era as the band’s last surviving founding member. He was 76 years old.

Fellow founding members George Cummings, Ray Sawyer and Billy Francis first started playing together in Mobile, Alabama under the name the Chocolate Papers with Ray Sawyer as the band’s lead vocalist. But when they started a new band up in Union City, New Jersey in 1968 with Dennis on bass, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show was born, officially coining the name in 1969. Dennis Locorriere was a native of Union City, born there on June 13, 1949.

The wild, rambunctious country rock band also known for its heartfelt ballads became synonymous with signature songs “Sylvia’s Mother” in 1972, and 1973’s “The Cover of Rolling Stone,” both of which were written by country songwriter Shel Silverstein, whose songs were a significant part of the band. It was Dr. Hook’s success that helped support Shel’s songwriting pursuits for many years. Every song on the band’s biggest album Sloppy Seconds (1972) was written by Shel.

As guitarist Ray Sawyer stepped away from lead vocal duties and Dennis Locorriere adopted it more as his primary role, the band achieved some of its greatest success. Other top songs included “A Little Bit More” (1976), “Walk Right In” (1977), and “Sharing The Night Together” (1978).

Who exactly was the “Dr Hook” of the band was always up for debate. Though many in the public believed it to be Ray Sawyer since he wore an eye patch after losing his right eye in a car accident in 1967, the band loved to be ambiguous about the answer, often saying it was their bus driver. But after George Cummings left the band in the mid 70’s, and Ray Sawyer in 1983, Dennis Locorriere kept on with the band and trademarked “Dr. Hook,” touring under the name.

Though Locorriere kept the band going well into the ’80s, their last studio albums was in 1983. Along with writing songs for Dr. Hook, Dennis Locorriere also landed songwriting credits with a host of country artists over the years, including Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, BJ Thomas, along with Bob Dylan.

The collaborations with Shel Silverstein also continued over the years, including Locorriere performing in Shel’s play The Devil And Billy Markham in New York City in the late ’80s, and narrating Shel Silverstein’s book Runny Babbit in 2005.

Locorriere also released a succession of solo albums in the oughts, Out of the Dark (2000), One of the Lucky Ones (2005) and Post Cool (2010). There were also numerous live albums through this era when he would continue to perform Dr. Hook songs along with his solo material. For the last 24 years of his life, Locorriere lived in West Sussex, England with his third wife where he passed away on Saturday.

“Dennis faced his illness with remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience throughout, and remained deeply cherished by all who knew him,” said a statement on the Dr. Hook website. “He will be remembered for his warmth, love, and the lasting impact he had on those around him,” the statement read. “We would like to thank everyone who supported Dennis during his journey and ask for privacy for his loved ones as they grieve this profound loss.”

The statement was chased with a Looney Tunes-esque “That’s all folks,” marking the end of one of American music’s most colorful and character-filled bands.

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