The music world has lost yet another legendary voice. Dennis Locorriere, the longtime frontman and founding member of Dr. Hook, has passed away at the age of 76, following a battle with kidney disease.
Before the huge chart success and unforgettable singalong hits, Dennis Locorriere gave Dr. Hook one of their most heartfelt performances with ‘Only Sixteen‘; a tender remake of the classic Sam Cooke song that became a worldwide hit for the band in the mid-70s.
With Dennis’s unmistakable voice full of warmth, emotion, and honesty, the song captured the innocence and heartbreak of young love in a way only he could. Decades later, it remains one of the defining songs of Dr. Hook’s legacy and a reminder of the timeless talent Dennis brought to every performance.
Best known for other timeless hits including ‘When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman‘, ‘Sharing the Night Together‘, and ‘Sylvia’s Mother‘, Dennis helped define the sound of 1970s soft rock and country-pop, alongside bandmate the late Ray Sawyer.
According to his management, Mr Locorriere died peacefully yesterday May 16th 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones, after facing his illness with “strength, dignity, and resilience.”
Born in Union City, Mr Locorriere enjoyed a career that spanned almost six decades, recording more than 18 albums and continuing to perform long after Dr. Hook’s chart success. He had also made the UK his home for more than two decades.
Though his voice may now be silent, the songs he gave the world will continue to live on for many generations.
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