Hoyt Axton's song "Joy to the World" is "a part of Americana," ex-Three Dog Night singer Chuck Negron said Tuesday (Oct. 26). Singer/songwriter Axton, who also wrote Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" and hits for Elvis

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Presley, John Denver and many others, died Tuesday at 61 after suffering a heart attack while undergoing surgery, the Associated Press reported. "I am truly saddened by the loss of a very talented artist," Negron, whose band had a #1 hit with "Joy to the World" in 1971, said in a statement. "He was a lovable man, and everyone had a lot of respect for him. Hoyt's gift of 'Joy to the World' has greatly enriched my life. Thanks to Hoyt's genius, 'Joy ...' and its memorable opening lyric, 'Jeremiah was a bullfrog,' are arguably a part of Americana."