Dennis Locorriere

Dennis Michael Locorriere (June 13, 1949 – May 16, 2026) was an American musician best known as a founding member, guitarist, and primary lead vocalist of the country rock group Dr. Hook (formerly Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show).

Early life Locorriere was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the only child to teenage parents Ruth (nee Mantovani) and Lenny Locorriere, both of Italian descent. Because of his parents' young age, Locorriere knew "they didn’t have the knowledge or maturity to keep it together, and, as a result, they never lived as man and wife and the three of us didn’t stand a chance of becoming a family."

The first record he bought was "Hey! Baby" by Bruce Channel. By 1969, the band became Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, later shortened to Dr. Hook in 1975.

He performed in The Devil And Billy Markham at Lincoln Center in New York City in 1989. It was written by Shel Silverstein, and directed by Gregory Mosher.

Locorriere, whose company retains ownership of the trademark name Dr. Hook, toured worldwide billed as "Dr. Hook". He also licensed the rights to tour as "Dr. Hook" to Sawyer, who toured as "Dr. Hook starring Ray Sawyer" from 1988 until October 2015, when Sawyer retired.

He contributed his vocals to the albums of others, such as Randy Travis's Always & Forever album (1987). His solo performances include songs from his past, as well as newer material from his solo period. Locorriere released three solo albums, Out of the Dark (2000), One of the Lucky Ones (2005) and Post Cool (2010). A compilation album, Alone in the Studio/The Lost Tapes, was released in 2008. Locorriere released a live CD, Dennis Locorriere - Live in Liverpool (2004), as well as a concert DVD of his solo show, Alone With Dennis Locorriere (2002), a top ten concert DVD of the Dr Hook Hits and History tour (2007) and a concert DVD of the Post Cool tour (2011). In November 2005, he released his narration of Runny Babbit, a book by Shel Silverstein.

In 2007, Locorriere and his band embarked on the Dennis Locorriere Celebrates Dr. Hook Hits and History tour. In July 2008, Locorriere toured the United Kingdom, as a member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. He is featured on a 2011 live CD Live Communications and footage of the Rhythm Kings featuring Locorriere in the lineup was released on a compilation CD in 2016.

In early 2010, Locorriere again toured in the United Kingdom, promoting his third studio album, Post Cool.

Locorriere's last tour as Dr. Hook took place between September 2021 to February 2022. Locorriere announced on Thanksgiving 2025 that he would cease touring as Dr. Hook to enjoy retirement.

Personal life and death Locorriere was married three times. Locorriere died of complications from kidney disease on May 16, 2026, at the age of 76.

Discography and DVD Studio albums Out of the Dark (Track Records, 2000) One of the Lucky Ones (Track Records, 2005) Post Cool (2010)

Live albums Alone with... (2002) Live in Liverpool (2004) Post Cool Live (2011) The Voice Of Dr Hook (2021) - Vinyl

Compilation albums Alone in the Studio/The Lost Tapes (2008) Retrospection (2011)

DVDs Alone with Dennis Locorriere (2006) Hits and History Tour Live (2007) Post Cool Live (2011)