{"id":490098,"date":"2026-05-18T04:50:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T04:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/490098\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T04:50:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T04:50:23","slug":"dr-hooks-dennis-locorriere-dies-at-76-after-long-health-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/490098\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr Hook&#8217;s Dennis Locorriere dies at 76 after &#8216;long&#8217; health battle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dennis Locorriere, the frontman of 1970s band Dr Hook, has died aged 76 after a &#8220;long and courageous battle&#8221; with kidney disease, his management has confirmed<a class=\"AuthorLink_author-link__rg5qj\" data-tmdatatrack=\"author\" data-testid=\"byline-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/authors\/daniel-bird\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35 __className_184259\">Daniel Bird<\/strong><\/a> Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor and <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35 __className_184259\">Izzie Addison, Press Association<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>16:53, 17 May 2026Updated 17:13, 17 May 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dennis Locorriere has died aged 76\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Photo-of-Dennis-LOCORRIERE-and-Dr-HOOK.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Dennis Locorriere has died aged 76\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Dennis Locorriere has died aged 76(Image: Redferns)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dr Hook frontman Dennis Locorriere <a aria-label=\"has died aged 76Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/obituaries\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">has died aged 76<\/a> following a &#8220;long and courageous battle&#8221; with kidney disease, his management has confirmed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The talented vocalist fronted the iconic 1970s band alongside Ray Sawyer, who passed away in 2019. The group, known as Dr Hook &amp; The Medicine Show until 1975, shot to fame with beloved classics including When You&#8217;re In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Sharing The Night Together and Sylvia&#8217;s Mother.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A statement from Locorriere&#8217;s management read: &#8220;It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dennis Locorriere, who, after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on May 16 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The late musician had battled kidney disease\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Undated-handout-photo-of-Dr-Hook-frontman-Dennis-Locorriere-who-has-died-aged-76-after-a-long-and-.jpeg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"The late musician had battled kidney disease\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The late musician had battled kidney disease(Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dennis' management said he faced his illness with 'remarkable strength'\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779079822_658_0_Photo-of-Dennis-LOCORRIERE-and-Dr-HOOK.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Dennis' management said he faced his illness with 'remarkable strength'\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Dennis&#8217; management said he faced his illness with &#8216;remarkable strength'(Image: Redferns)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Dennis faced his illness with remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience throughout, and remained deeply cherished by all who knew him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;He will be remembered for his warmth, love, and the lasting impact he had on those around him. 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Originally from Union City, New Jersey, Locorriere had lived in the UK for 24 years before his death. Locorriere co-founded the group, which first emerged in 1971, with Sawyer, Billy Francis and George Cummings, before later embarking on a successful solo career.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dennis had a career spanning six decades\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Music-File-Photos-1980s.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Dennis had a career spanning six decades\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Dennis had a career spanning six decades(Image: WireImage)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In 2014, the group climbed to number 11 on the top 40 chart with Timeless, a 40-track collection of chart hits, love songs and lesser-known gems from their extensive repertoire, over four decades after their first release and seven years following their previous top 20 album.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Over the course of his career, which spanned almost six decades, Locorriere produced more than 18 albums. He was also responsible for more than 60 singles, certified platinum and gold, and for topping the charts in more than 42 countries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Locorriere also released three solo records: Out of the Dark, One of the Lucky, and Post Cool. In 2007, he and his band went on to hit the road with the Dennis Locorriere Celebrates Dr Hook Hits and History tour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Just a year later, he went on to tour the UK alongside Boll Wyman&#8217;s Rhythm Kings. The late musician, who had been married three times, lived in Sussex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Following his death, Boom Radio UK said: &#8220;We&#8217;re so sad to hear of the death of Dennis Locorriere &#8211; the legendary voice at the heart of Dr Hook. He was a remarkable performer and we shall miss him. Dennis was born in New Jersey and made his home here in the UK for the last 24 years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, one fan said on X, formerly known as Twitter: &#8220;Sad to hear that Dr Hook frontman Dennis Locorriere has died. The band were best known for hits such as When You&#8217;re in Love with a Beautiful Woman, Sexy Eyes, and Sylvia&#8217;s Mother. Born in Union City, New Jersey, Locorriere lived here in the UK for 24 years before his death.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;So sad, saw him live a few years ago and he still had that voice, thanks for the music, Dennis,&#8221; said another. While a third tweeted: &#8220;Farewell, Dennis Locorriere. Dr. Hook&#8217;s music was ubiquitous on the radio when I was a child.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cruse.org.uk\/get-support\/helpline\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Click here for their website<\/a> or call 0808 808 1677.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Like this story? 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