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Part III Home

 

1993

 

   In 1993, MCA records released our double CD set called, Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, and it contained all our hits plus a lot of really good album cuts that were never released as singles, as well as a few songs of Cory's and Danny's that were done before 3DN.

 

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The one thing you can be certain of in life is CHANGE. It WILL happen. At best, one can only hope for long periods of continuity. -- M. Allsup --

 

   We continued touring in 1993 and 1994. Throughout the 1994 season I endured the strains of an impending end to my marriage and loss of my family. It took a toll on me -- worse than anything in my life that comes to mind. I don't think it proper to elaborate on the specifics here.

Being on the road, I was able to sleep only every other night. I'd wait in the lobby for the other band members. In the morning I'd drag myself to airports and on to the next city, play the gig, and then fall deeply asleep in my exhausted state, struggling not to be late the next morning. Then the two-day cycle would begin again.

   As you all know, the less sleep you get, the more subject you are to your emotions. Rest is critical to emotional stability. All of 1994 was like this for me.

    To make things worse, I got drunk -- for about 3 years. Not good. I finally shut it down, but I had done great harm to myself, aging drastically in just a few short years from the stress and the alcohol. I had also done great harm to my relationship with my daughters. It seemed that I fell prey to every "conflict by design" that was served up to me, plus I created a few of my own.

    Divorce is never pretty. I became quite belligerent with their mother, because I felt a perceived gauntlet being thrown down, leading me down a path I had not wanted to travel. I greatly regret becoming such a confrontational jerk during that period, but I can't take it back. It's done now, and some things take years to undo, if ever.

    So, I have seen despair in my life, and I've been my own worst enemy at times when I've needed to be astute and level-headed. Just the nature of the human condition, I suppose.

    It hasn't all been "Joy To The World." Sometimes people change and just move on, but it's rarely an easy transition. I just miss my kids and put my faith in the future.

    One thing I've found to be a repetitive problem in this vocation is being home. I've traveled so much that being on vacation to me is just being able to stay home. In contrast, quite naturally, those who are at home want "go" when time allows. It's an inherent conflict in my business that's hard to resolve. It requires "give and take" from both parties. Maybe it's too much to ask of either. Not impossible, but difficult just the same.

Graphic deleted due to FarSide copyright infringement. It was the one showing a MOLE couple in their tunnel. The female is leaving. The caption reads, "I'M LEAVING YOU, MITCHEL. YOU NEVER HAD TUNNEL VISION: YOU NEVER WILL

   As usual, I couldn't resist another Gary Larson goodie, even though it kind of hammers me. It's relative because my "ex" used to call me a "mole," due to the fact that I liked to stay home a lot, which can be in conflict with women who like to set the agenda. If I haven't said it yet -- I do, in fact, wish her continued success and happiness. Being a wonderfully educated self-sufficient woman, I'm sure she is doing quite well. If I'm truly honest, I should add that I owe her a great deal of gratitude for the domestic stability she brought to my life, and the two beautiful daughters we were blessed with.

 

 

 

 

Louisville, KY - July 1995, with "The Greatest of All Time" -- Muhammad Ali.

   After a 3DN baseball stadium gig, as he and I were posing for a picture, The Champ started stroking my hair in a mock "gay" gesture. Always the ham, this ambassador of good will is loved worldwide. People absolutely flock to him when he's out and about. The pamphlets in his hand were religious in nature, and he was passing them out.

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Photo by Avalyn Swaney

    Just a month later we crossed paths again in an airport, and I had a chance to tell him a story I knew he would enjoy. I told The Champ that 3DN used to be managed by a firm that also managed (boxer) Jerry Quarry who had fought Muhammad twice in the early '70s. Truth is: Any boxer that was ever in the ring with "Mr. Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" was made famous because of it. Jerry knew that and acknowledged it in admirable fashion. While Jerry was doing a short six weeks on the road with 3 Dog, training as a potential road manager, he did comedic imitations of Ali and admittedly loved and respected the man. As a long-time fan of Ali, I was obviously excited to meet him. He IS the greatest of all time. Nobody, but NOBODY did it like he did. Talent and charisma like the sport had never seen before. Although he is the greatest boxing figure to ever grace the sport, he is a symbol of peace who continues helping all humanity with his dignity, humor and love. I think it's safe to say, from the looks on everyone else's face, they were pretty "stoked" to meet him, too. On the far right (right to left) is Jim Greenspoon, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton enjoying The Champ as he taunted me. It was a great thing to meet Muhammad. I recall standing there thinking, "Man! Just think of it. The hand that's around my neck is connected to the hand that almost took off Howard Cosell's piece!" (This is not small stuff.) By the way, I think Howard was great, too. What a team they were.

    A side note: On March 20, 2001, Muhammad Ali made a public apology for something he had said some 30 years before. I'm so proud of him. He said he wanted to apologize to Joe Frazier for saying he "looked like a gorilla" and that it was just promotion for the fight called "The Thriller in Manilla" (Philippines). Joe Frazier issued a response saying that he accepted the apology.

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