Founding member of New Jersey country rock band sang lead on hit singles "Sylvia's Mother," "When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman" and "Sexy Eyes"

Dennis Locorriere, founding member of the Seventies country rock band Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, has died at the age of 76.

Locorriere died Saturday following a “long and courageous battle with kidney disease,” the “Cover of the Rolling Stone” band said in a statement Sunday. Locorriere previously announced in November 2025 that he would retire from touring.

“Dennis faced his illness with remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience throughout, and remained deeply cherished by all who knew him. 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 New Jersey-born Locorriere co-founded Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show in 1969, serving first as the band’s bassist and lead singer. After signing with Columbia, the country rock group linked up with children’s book author Shel Silverstein, who wrote all but one song on the group’s first two albums, 1972’s Doctor Hook and 1973’s Sloppy Seconds.

Those LPs featured the Locorriere-sung singles “Sylvia’s Mother” and “Carry Me, Carrie,” as well as the band’s biggest hit “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone,'” sung by the band’s Ray Sawyer, who died in 2018.

After shortening their band name to simply Dr. Hook in the mid-Seventies, Locorriere and the band scored hits with covers of “A Little Bit More” and “Sharing the Night Together,” as well as their own “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman,” “Sexy Eyes,” and “Better Love Next Time,” the latter three appearing on the band’s 1979 album Sometimes You Win.

“A Couple More Years,” a song Locorriere co-wrote with Silverstein for Dr. Hook’s 1976 album A Little Bit More, would later be covered by both Willie Nelson (for 1978’s Waylon & Willie) and Bob Dylan, whose version would appear on The Bootleg Series Vol. 16.

Following the band’s farewell tour in 1985, Locorriere retained the rights to the group’s moniker and continued touring as Dr. Hook; Sawyer licensed the band name and toured with his own outfit, Dr. Hook with Ray Sawyer. Outside of Dr. Hook, Locorriere also released a series of solo albums over the past few decades.