Cory Wells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cory Wells
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Wells in 1969
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Emil Lewandowski |
| Born | February 5, 1941 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 20, 2015 (aged 74) Dunkirk, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
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| Associated acts | Three Dog Night |
Cory Wells was an American singer. He was born Emil Lewandowski on February 5, 1941. He passed away on October 20, 2015. Cory was famous for being one of the three main singers. He sang in the popular band Three Dog Night.
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Cory Wells' Early Life
Cory Wells grew up in a musical family. He started playing in bands in Buffalo, New York when he was a teenager. His father died when Cory was very young. This meant his mother had to work hard to support them. Cory later changed his last name to Wells. This was a shorter version of his birth father's name, Wellsley. His stage name, Cory Wells, was suggested by a manager.
After high school, Cory joined the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he started a band. This band had musicians from different backgrounds. He was inspired by a group called The Del-Vikings. They had a hit song called "Come Go with Me".
Cory Wells' Music Career
After his time in the Air Force, Cory went back to Buffalo. He joined a band called the Vibratos. Their manager told them to go to California. He said they could become famous there. So, they moved and changed their name to "The Enemys."
The Enemys played in many clubs. They became the main band at the Whisky a Go Go. This was a very famous music club. They also appeared on TV shows. These included The Beverly Hillbillies and Burke's Law. They were even in a movie called Harper.
While playing at the Whisky a Go Go, Cher asked the band to tour with Sonny & Cher. On this tour, Cory met Danny Hutton. Danny would later become his partner in the band Three Dog Night. The Enemys had some small hits. These included songs like "Hey Joe." In 1967, Cory moved to Phoenix. There, he formed The Cory Wells Blues Band.
Forming Three Dog Night
In 1968, Cory went back to Hollywood. Danny Hutton convinced him to form a new band. This band would have three lead singers. Cory and Danny found a third singer, Chuck Negron. They met Chuck at a party in Hollywood.
The three singers met The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. They recorded some songs together. They called themselves "Redwood" at first. They worked on their three-part harmony sound. Then, they added four more musicians. These were Michael Allsup on guitar, Jimmy Greenspoon on organ, Joe Schermie on bass, and Floyd Sneed on drums.
The group started performing as Three Dog Night in 1968. They quickly became one of the most successful bands. This was during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Three Dog Night's Success
Cory Wells sang the main part on one of Three Dog Night's biggest hits. This was the song ""Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"." This song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The person who wrote the song, Randy Newman, called Cory. He thanked Cory for making his song so popular.
Cory Wells lived a more simple life than some other rock stars. He did not spend all his money on fancy things.
Three Dog Night broke up in 1976. Cory then tried to start a solo career. He recorded an album called Touch Me in 1978.
In the mid-1980s, Cory helped bring Three Dog Night back together. They recorded a new album called "It's a Jungle". Later, Chuck Negron left the band. But Cory and Danny Hutton continued to tour as Three Dog Night. Original band member Mike Allsup also toured with them. Jimmy Greenspoon also played with them until he got sick in 2014. He passed away in 2015.
Cory Wells' Passing
Cory Wells passed away in his sleep on October 20, 2015. He was 74 years old. He died at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, New York. His family later shared that he had been battling multiple myeloma. This is a type of blood cancer.
