Three Dog Night kicks off the opening night of the Marin County Fair at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday.

The classic band is best known for their hits "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Joy to the World," and "Black and White" -- all of which will be played at the free concert at the lagoon pavilion tonight.

The band, lead by founding members and lead singers Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, has had 21 Billboard Top 40 hits and 13 gold albums in the last four decades. According to the band, from 1969 to 1974 no other group sold more records or had more top ten hits. 

The name Three Dog Night reportedly comes from a story that indigenous Australians would sleep with a dingo, or native Australian dog, on particularly cold nights. On colder nights, they'd sleep with two or three dogs -- making it a three dog night.

The group continues to tour, released two new songs in 2009 and is working on its first album in 25 years.

Information about all the free concerts, attractions and shows at the Marin County Fair can be found on marinfair.org.