Rick Derringer, who had a hit with ‘Hang On Sloopy' and produced ‘Weird Al,' dies at 77
Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer, who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded 'Hang On Sloopy,' had a hit with 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' and earned a Grammy Award for producing 'Weird Al' Yankovic's debut album, has died. He was 77.
Derringer died Monday in in Ormond Beach, Florida, according to a Facebook announcement from his caretaker, Tony Wilson. No cause of death was announced.
Derringer's decades in the music industry spanned teen stardom, session work for bands like Steely Dan, supplying the guitar solo on Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and producing for Cyndi Lauper.
'Derringer's legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent. His passing leaves a void in the music world, and he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones,' Wilson wrote.
As a teen, he formed the McCoys with his brother, Randy, and found fame singing 'Hang On Sloopy,' a No. 26 hit about lovers from different socioeconomic circumstances. Derringer enjoyed his first solo hit with 'Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo,' which was used in the fourth season of 'Stranger Things.'
His best-charting album was 'All American Boy' in 1973, which included the instrumentals 'Joy Ride' and 'Time Warp.' His sole Grammy was for Yankovic's 'Eat It,' which had the Michael Jackson parodies 'Eat It' and 'Who's Fat.'
Throughout the 1970s and '80s, Derringer worked extensively as a session musician, playing on albums by Steely Dan — including 'Countdown to Ecstasy,' 'Katy Lied' and 'Gaucho' — Todd Rundgren, Kiss and Barbra Streisand. He played on Air Supply's 'Making Love Out of Nothing at All.'
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In the mid-1980s he began working with Lauper, touring in her band and playing on three of her albums, including the hit 'True Colors.' He toured with Ringo Starr and The All-Starr Band.
In 1985, he produced the World Wrestling Federation's 'The Wrestling Album,' which consisted primarily mostly of pro wrestlers' theme songs, many of which he co-wrote, including what would become Hulk Hogan's theme song 'Real American.'
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Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, wasn't expected to testify for long, a prosecutor said. The Grammy Award-winning rapper, who is known for his alternative hip-hop style that weaves genres together, arrived at the courthouse in a black SUV and was escorted inside. Prosecutor Emily Johnson began her questioning by showing Cudi a photo of Cassie and asking him if he knows her. 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