 |
| Dennis Locorriere (1950-2026) |
Dennis Locorriere, known for his distinctive voice that helped make Dr. Hook one of the biggest soft rock and country-pop acts of the 1970s, passed away peacefully on Saturday surrounded by loved ones after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. He was 76.
His management confirmed the news in a statement, describing how Locorriere faced his illness with "remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience." They asked for privacy for his family as they grieve.
Locorriere had lived in the UK for the past 24 years. He continued performing Dr. Hook’s hits well into his later years through shows such as Voice of Dr. Hook and the Dennis Locorriere Celebrates Dr. Hook Hits and History Tour.
In 2019, he launched a 50th Anniversary World Tour, though dates were later postponed due to complications from a prostate procedure that affected his kidneys.
Dr. Hook paid tribute on Instagram with a simple black graphic featuring his signature, birth and death dates, and the phrase “That’s all folks!”
Locorriere co-founded the band (originally Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show) with Ray Sawyer, Billy Francis, and George Cummings. They shortened the name in 1975 as their popularity surged on both sides of the Atlantic. The group became famous for hits including:
- When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman (UK No. 1)
- Sharing The Night Together
- Sylvia’s Mother
- Cover of the Rolling Stone
- Sexy Eyes
Their blend of humour, storytelling, and melodic soft rock earned them a dedicated following that has endured for decades.
As a songwriter outside the band, Locorriere had his work recorded by artists such as Bob Dylan, Crystal Gayle, B.J. Thomas, Helen Reddy, Willie Nelson, Southside Johnny, and Olivia Newton-John.
After the original line-up disbanded, he continued touring Dr. Hook material, particularly across Europe and the UK, where the band maintained a strong fanbase. In recent years, nostalgia for 1970s soft rock, boosted by TikTok clips and streaming, had brought renewed attention to the group’s catalogue.