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One Is the Loneliest Number: On the Road and Behind the Scenes With the Legendary Rock Band Three Dog Night

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I am a huge TDN fan from the time they started in the 60's until they disbanded in the 70's. I own every album they made and now I own the same albums on cd. I even was fortunate enough to see them when they reunited in the 80's. I was very unfortunate to see them a few years back, no where as good without the originals.

This book is about Jimmy Greenspoon's life. Starting out as a kid living in Beverly Hills, through his own ventures in small bands, to playing keybords for Three Dog Night, to playing keyboards for Shaun Cassidy, and Back to TDN. And his life as a junkie.

I have never read a book by some one so stuck on their self like Jimmy Greenspoon. Yes TDN was a huge success, yes Jimmy Greenspoon can play keyboards great, but to think he can even attempt to sing Chuck Negron's parts, he must of been stoned. Oh that is right, that was when he was clean, those drugs must of burned out his brains.


I guess it was a blow to his ego to play keyboards for Shaun Cassidy. Did he really think any sane TDN fan would look past the 3 front men, Chuck Negron, Corey Wells, or Danny Hutton, and even give him a second glance.

Funniest thing about this book was when he lost the trust of his junkie buddy, Chuck Negron.

The saddest part of this book was when he stole money from his dying mother, who gave him every thing, there is no excuse for that.

It was a good book if you got past his ego, but not near as good as his junkie buddy's book.

This book was well written but reflects poorly on Jimmy who wasted talent and money. I hope he stays clean and sober at least for his mother who has long since past. The 60's and 70's were a fun time and I am a big fan of TDN. I hope one day soon Cory,Danny and Chuck will get together one more time for the fans. Maybe we can hear more good music and keyboards from Jimmy. This book should be read by everyone who is a fan of TDN.

I have known Jimmy Greenspoon for most of my life. In fact, we attended school together, began our musical careers together and recorded and performed as members of several bands from as early as 1962. I have recorded singles and albums with him, composed songs with him and sung on recordings with him. As elementary and high school kids, we played together, surfed together, hung out with girls together and generally had the time of our young lives.

Jimmy, was and is one of the best rock keyboard players of all time. His talent was nothing short of incredible even at the young age of 13. He in a standout studio musician and did indeed play keyboards on all of TDN's hits.

Although Jimmy and I later became a part of other groups and eventually drifted apart during the early stages of his experimentation with drugs, we did manage to perform on the same bill on several occassions.

Jimmy's personal triumphs and tribulations are partly the result of the tremendous fame experienced by TDN during the 60's. Going from being a member of a lesser known band to skyrocketing to number one status can definetely take its toll, especially with the day to day pressure of recording long hours, constant touring and adoration by loving fans.

The success of TDN was a team effort. The three lead singers as talented as they were/are, would have been nothing without the incredible talent of the band. Add to that the genius contribution by my cousin who produced some of the groups best recordings and the end result was magic.

Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol tends to take its toll on super talented people, whether they be artists, musicians, or actors. It's just a fact of life. What's most important is that Jimmy like some before and after have come to realize their weaknesses and shortcomings and thankfully remained alive from their experiences.

Today, Jimmy is well adjusted, devotes time to counseling troubled youth about the dangers and pitfalls of alcohol and drug abuse, and is a hard working, clean and sober citizen. He stills tours with TDN in addition to a full schedule of studio recording with other artists.

In the days prior to stamping out artists and hits like a factory such as with American Idol, it took not only hard work, but lottery-winning luck to score with a seat-of-your-pants hit record. To have achieved the success Jimmy Greenspoon has in one lifetime, live through substance-abuse hell and return to sanity is nothing short of amazing. I salute Jimmy and will remain his friend and staunch supporter to the end.

One Is The Loneliest Number On the Road and Behind The Scenes With The Legendary Rock Band THREE DOG NIGHT by Jimmy Greenspoon with Mark Bego

"Jimmy Greenspoon, keyboardist of Three Dog Night, was a 20-year drug and alcohol addict who barely survived to tell his story...tales of all-night drug and sex orgies, musical jams, stadium-filled tours, and legendary recording sessions are recommended for those interested in this popular band from the late 1960's and early 70's." --Gary M. Krebs / "The Rock and Roll Reader's Guide"

"Jimmy Greenspoon, the keyboard player for Three Dog Night, one of the top rock groups of the 1970's, has written his and the group's story...the group's fame left Greenspoon broke and a heroin junkie. He is now a recovering addict...his book takes a tough look at life on the fast, fast track! --"The Arizona Daily Star"

"Prime dirt!...(A) hardcover wade through the fertile waters of sex 'n' drugs 'n' rock 'n' roll!" --"Radio & Records"

"As wild and woolly as any rock biography as you're liable to come across!" --"Reading For Pleasure"

JIMMY GREENSPOON has been a member of Three Dog Night since the very beginning. He continues to tour with the band, and makes his home in Northern Arizona.

MARK BEGO is the author of over 30 books on rock & roll and show business, including the 1998 "New York Times Best-Seller, Leonardo Di Caprio: Romantic Hero. He has his own blend of coffee, manufactured by Melitta. END

Very interesting. Jimmy Greenspoon was very blunt, and to the point. Alchohol and heroin were his choice, for quite awhile.I give him the credit he deserves for becoming clean and sober.