- The basics: Negron and two friends released a series of hit albums beginning in 1969 that spotlighted the trio's vocal harmonies. By the late '70s, however, Negron was a voracious drug addict with a $2,000-a-day habit that took 37 different rehab programs to break.

- Why you know him: Three Dog Night landed an amazing 18 consecutive Top 20 singles, including: "Mama Told Me Not to Come," "Joy to the World" and "Black and White."

- Behind the Music: Nope.

- Mustache: Uh-huh.

- As of late: In 2000, Negron and Three Dog Night were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Sharon, Pa. (According to its Web site, the museum is "temporarily closed.")

- The basics: Toto was one of those super-slick Los Angeles bands filled with highly skilled, if anonymous, session musicians. Kimball left the group in 1984 but returned in the late '90s. The 1999 Toto reunion album "Mindfields," according to the All Music Guide, was "overlong, overwrought, and devoid of personality."

- Why you know him: Toto's 1982 album "Toto IV" contained a trio of Top 10 singles: "Rosanna," "Africa" and "I Won't Hold You Back."

- Behind the Music: Not yet.

- Mustache: Oh yes.

- As of late: Kimball has a Web site, www.bobbykimball. com, that has not been updated for what looks like maybe at least a year. On April 7, possibly in 2001, Kimball performed at a private party for Uunum Insurance in Hawaii.

- The basics: After leading bands such as Target and Cobra, Jamison replaced Survivor's singer Dave Bickler. For the record, Jamison sang "Burning Heart," Survivor's theme song for "Rocky IV," but not "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor's contribution to "Rocky III." Jamison's official biography makes several unironic comparisons between Jamison and Elvis Presley.

- Why you know him: "High on You" and "The Search Is Over" hit big in 1985, with "Burning Heart" finding similar success the following year.

- Behind the Music: No.

- Mustache: No, although he does have quite a mullet on him.

- As of late: Jamison wrote and performed the "Baywatch" theme. The reunited Survivor toured in 2000 with REO Speedwagon and Styx. He also claims to be a big star in Germany.

- The basics: Cafferty was the leader of a bar band when he was recruited to write and perform the music for the fake titular group of the 1983 film "Eddie and the Cruisers." The movie turned out to be a sleeper hit on video, which in turn led to three million in sales for the soundtrack.

- Why you know him: "On the Dark Side," Cafferty's most shameless and most successful Bruce Springsteen rip-off.

- Behind the Music: No, but VH1 has aired "Eddie and the Cruisers" numerous times.

- Mustache: No.

- As of late: Cafferty's last original album, "The Voice of Eddie & The Cruisers," was released in 1993. His busy 2001 touring schedule has taken him from the Mississippi Balloon Festival to the National Rib Cook-Off in Painesville, Ohio.

- The basics: Thomas replaced Jefferson Starship vocalist Marty Balin in 1979 and stayed with the ever-changing lineup that eventually morphed into the much-despised pop group Starship.

- Why you know him: Starship scored hits such as "We Built This City," "Sara" and "It's Not Over ('Til It's Over)." The band's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" was featured in the 1987 film "Mannequin" and was actually nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award(!)

- Behind the Music: Yes, although its main focus is on the Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship years.

- Mustache: Yes, with a beard, too.

- As of late: Tours under the name "Starship featuring Mickey Thomas." His version of the band has featured at least 13 different members over the past decade, none of whom played with Starship (let alone Jefferson Starship) during the band's hit-making years. Has said he is not averse to a reunion of the original lineup of either Starship or Jefferson Starship and is likely awaiting a call from the producers of "Mannequin 3."

Ross Raihala covers music and entertainment for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or OlyRoss@aol.com.

'Super Singers of the '80s'

- What: An evening featuring rock vocalists Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Jimi Jamison of Survivor, Mickey Thomas of Starship, Bobby Kimball of Toto and John Cafferty of the Beaver Brown Band. A fireworks show will follow at midnight.

- When: 10 p.m. Dec. 31.

- Where: Emerald Queen Casino, 200 Alexander Ave., Tacoma.

- Tickets: $30.

- For information: Call Ticketmaster Northwest at 206-628-0888.