Dennis Locorriere, the longtime frontman of Dr. Hook, has died aged 76 after what his management described as a "long and courageous battle" with kidney disease.

The singer, whose distinctive voice helped turn Dr. Hook into one of the defining soft rock and country-pop crossover acts of the 1970s, died peacefully on Saturday (16.05.26) surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement released by his management.

Dennis had lived in the UK for the past 24 years, despite being born in New Jersey, and had continued touring and performing the band's catalogue well into later life through shows including Voice of Dr. Hook and Dennis Locorriere Celebrates Dr. Hook Hits and History Tour.

The musician had also launched a Dr. Hook 50th Anniversary World Tour in 2019, though dates were later postponed after a prostate procedure led to kidney complications.

His management said: "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.

"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. 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."

Dr. Hook marked Dennis's death with a simple post on Instagram.

Against a black background, the band shared his signature alongside the dates of his birth and death, as well as the famous Bugs Bunny sign-off: "That's all folks!"

Dennis founded the group alongside Ray Sawyer, Billy Francis and George Cummings.

Originally performing as Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show, the band dropped the second half of the name in 1975 as their commercial success accelerated on both sides of the Atlantic.

The group became best known for hits including When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Sharing The Night Together and Sylvia's Mother, with the former reaching No 1 in the UK charts and remaining a staple of classic radio playlists decades later. Their mix of humour, storytelling and soft rock melodies also earned them a loyal following through tracks such as Cover of the Rolling Stone and Sexy Eyes.

Outside the band, Dennis established a reputation as a songwriter whose work was recorded by artists including Bob Dylan, Crystal Gayle, BJ Thomas, Helen Reddy, Willie Nelson, Southside Johnny and Olivia Newton-John.

Following the breakup of the original line-up, Dennis continued performing Dr. Hook material for audiences across Europe and the UK, where the band retained a particularly strong fanbase.

In recent years, nostalgia tours and renewed interest in 1970s soft rock had brought renewed attention to acts such as Dr. Hook, with clips of the band's performances regularly circulating on TikTok and streaming platforms.