Cyndi Lauper collaborator Rick Derringer dies as tributes pour in
Rick Derringer has died it's been announced. The news has prompted tributes to the late musician who died aged 77, who worked with the likes of Cyndi Lauper in his career, which spanned more than six decades.
His longtime friend and caretaker Tony Wilson confirmed the news, stating that Rick passed away on Monday night in Ormond Beach, Florida, surrounded by his wife Jenda and Wilson himself. Tony said in a statement: "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." He also noted Rick "left an indelible mark on the music industry as a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer".
Born Rick Zehringer in 1947, Derringer was a pioneering figure in rock music, best known as the co-founder of The McCoys. Alongside his brother Randy Zehringer, 75, and bass player Dennis Kelly, he formed the band in Ohio in 1962. The group achieved early success with the 1965 hit 'Hang On Sloopy', recorded when Derringer was just 17.
His influence extended far beyond The McCoys, as he wrote the iconic 'Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo' – which featured in season four of 'Stranger Things' – and composed Hulk Hogan's 'Real American' wrestling theme.
In addition to his own recordings, including his 1973 debut solo album 'All-American Boy', Rick produced 'Weird' Al Yankovic's first album and helped launch Patti Smith's career by giving her first major credit on the song 'Jump'.
Throughout his life, he collaborated with a range of music heroes such as Alice Cooper, Barbra Streisand, Cyndi Lauper, and was known as a friend of Andy Warhol. In recent years, he toured worldwide with Ringo Starr and The All Starr Band.
Tributes poured in on social media following the announcement.
Vinny Appice, drummer for Black Sabbath and Rick's former bandmate, wrote online: 'Rick was a great guitarist and even more a teacher to me... we recorded three albums together and played many tours, opening for Aerosmith, Boston, Foghat and more.' John Corabi, former Mötley Crüe frontman, described Derringer as 'a brilliant guitarist/producer and songwriter'.
Joe Bonamassa added: 'It was an honour to know you, work with you and call you a friend.'
Ron Onesti, president of Onesti Entertainment and owner of the Arcada Theatre in Illinois, recalled a recent phone call with Rick in his tribute. He said: 'He called me from his bed a few days ago – we planned on his return to The Arcada. He said, 'I want nothing more.' I can't believe it. He is now in Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo Heaven. God bless him.'
No cause of death has been officially disclosed, though Rick had faced several health issues recently, including undergoing an ankle bypass operation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Netflix's Adolescence is now second biggest English-language show on streaming platform
Netflix's Adolescence has hit a huge new milestone, surpassing Stranger Things, as the second most watched English-language TV series, but which show holds the top spot? Netflix's Adolescence has officially became the streamer's second most-watched English-language TV series, surpassing Stranger Things, which previously held the crime drama mini-series, co-created and starring Stephen Graham, arrived on the streaming platform on March 13 and recently reached a huge milestone of 141.2M total views, putting it above the fourth season of Stranger Things, which initially held the title at 140.7M views. It follows the dramatic aftermath of a 13-year-old boy Jamie, portrayed by Owen Cooper, who is arrested for murdering a classmate. Each episode is remarkably shot in one take. In first place is the debut season of the platform's Addams Family spin-off, Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega, which racked in a jaw dropping 252.1M total views within its first 91 days. In comparison, season one of the streamer's popular Korean psychological thriller Squid Game is Netflix's most watched non-English language TV series, bringing in a whopping 265.2M views in its first three months. Adolescence, which is likely to land several Emmy nominations next month, recently swept at the 2025 Gotham TV Awards. It was awarded the prize for Breakthrough Limited Series, as well as two acting awards for Graham and young newcomer Owen Cooper for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series and Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series, respectively. In his acceptance speech, Graham said: 'We're overwhelmed for you to embrace us the way you have. "This was a small colloquial piece that was made with love, respect, humility and dignity, and we treated the subject with a lot of passion, but a lot of care.' Speaking to The Independent in March about the struggles of shooting each episode in one go, director Philip Barantini admitted: 'It was quite difficult, but it was fun as well. It was meticulously planned. '[Tech rehearsals] would be an opportunity for the sound team to put the booms where they needed to be. "And, we had all the support and the runners and ADs all dressed in police uniforms in the first episode and teachers in the second episode so they could be on camera and cueing things. 'It was technically challenging, but a huge collaboration.' It comes after 15-year-old Owen from Cheshire in England recently appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and boldly revealed "one thing he hates about America". Host Jimmy had asked the teenager what he didn't like about America as Owen spent some time there promoting the Netflix drama which is now in talks for a second series. The young actor replied: "One thing I hate about America - the chocolate and the sweets, everything is just terrible. It's just Cheetos and all that nonsense. Honestly, I hate it." Whilst slating US confectionery, he even brought out some classic British snacks to prove his point that they are better. Owen lifted up a basket of snacks to reveal his favourite treats to Jimmy, which included the classic Maltesers. He asked the host: "Have you ever had a Malteser? Right - I'll bring the whole basket up. So this is what I brought [Monster Munch, Maltesers and Fruit Pastilles]"
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Spider-Man 4 filming to take over Glasgow this summer
Production crews will take over the city centre to shoot scenes for the next instalment in the Spider-Man franchise. Spider-Man 4, officially titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, will see Tom Holland reprise his role as Spider-Man. Slated for a July 2026, the long-anticipated movie will be helmed by Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton, with reports suggesting that Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink has been cast opposite Holland. READ MORE: Baby Reindeer star to film new drama on Glasgow streets Film crews descend on Glasgow Cathedral for Netflix Frankenstein reboot Major update on Highlander reboot ahead of Scotland filming Plot details remain under wraps, but long-time Spider-Man franchise producer Amy Pascal, while appearing on Deadline's Behind the Lens podcast in December last year, teased what we can expect from the story. She said: 'We have to deal with the fact that he decided he was going to give up being Peter Parker [in No Way Home], and that he was going to focus on being Spider-Man because being Peter Parker was too hard.' The most recent Spider-Man film, 2021's No Way Home, was a huge box office success, grossing $1.9bn worldwide - making it the sixth highest-grossing movie in history. Tom Holland revealed that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will begin filming in the summer of 2025 during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon back in October 2024. Now The Herald can reveal that production crews are set to descend on Glasgow to shoot scenes for the forthcoming blockbuster in mid-August. Spider-Man: No Way Home grossed approximately $1.9 billion globally Filming notification engagement letters for the production - which has the working title 'Blue Oasis' - went out to residents in Glasgow city centre earlier this week. The letters note that production crews are "working towards" filming on Bothwell Street, St Vincent Street, Waterloo Street and Oak Street through Richmond Street. According to the letters, some of the scenes being shot will "involve vehicles in the road, with production crews anticipating that Bothwell Street will be closed to vehicles (between Pitt Street and Hope Street) for approximately one week to accommodate filming. The news that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be shooting in Glasgow this summer comes as Scotland's biggest city gears up to play host to another bid-budget Hollywood production. The Herald understands that filming for JJ Abrams' next movie is set to take over Glasgow City Chambers and nearby Cochrane Street over a number of days next week. The still-untitled feature - Abrams' first since 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - brings together an all-star cast, with Samuel L. Jackson tapped to play a key role alongside Glen Powell (Twisters/Top Gun: Maverick), Jenna Ortega (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) and Emma Mackey (Sex Education/Barbie). Reports suggest it will be a fantasy film inspired by the 1984 movie The Last Starfighter, a space opera about a video game player recruited to fight an interstellar war against aliens. Hollywood star Glen Powell was recently in Glasgow to shoot Edgar Wright's reboot of 1987 action flick The Running Man. A number of sites in the city were used to emulate the streets of New York, with filming taking place across the city centre, the West End and the SEC Armadillo. Approached by The Herald, a spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: 'While we cannot comment on individual productions, the council's Glasgow Film Office is in constant dialogue with film, broadcast and advertising productions of all sizes who are interested in filming in the city to establish how we can support them. "These productions bring a significant economic benefit to Glasgow, and have helped to steadily grow the capacity of our film and broadcast sector in recent years, as seen in new facilities such as the Kelvin Hall studio.'
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Shaquille O'Neal's wild life and £370m fortune he won't share with children
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and has amassed a nine-figure fortune - but he plans to leave none of it to his six kids Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal has amassed a substantial fortune since beginning his illustrious NBA career over three decades ago. The 53-year-old, who won four NBA championships, was named season MVP in 2000, and earned 15 All-Star selections, has arguably achieved equal success off the court. The TNT analyst has numerous business ventures, including being appointed Reebok's president of basketball in 2023. His efforts to revive Reebok's reputation in basketball, alongside NBA legend Allen Iverson, are documented in the new Netflix series Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal, released today. The show follows O'Neal and Iverson, Reebok's vice president of basketball, as they search for the brand's next marquee name. They seemingly land on WNBA rising star Angel Reese, who has described O'Neal as a "father figure." O'Neal's impact at Reebok has already been significant, even before the show's release. "There's a powerful shift happening at Reebok right now, and Power Moves lets the world experience it with us," Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky said. "This isn't just a comeback, it's a cultural movement, fueled by purpose, passion, and the kind of leadership that inspires real change. Jersey Legends saw that spark and knew this was the moment to capture. "What Shaq, Allen, and our team are building is electric, and this series brings viewers inside the heart of it, as it happens." Here, Mirror Sport takes a closer look at the life of the basketball legend. Building fortune O'Neal, often known as 'Shaq', has made his mark not only on the basketball court but also in the financial world. He boasts an estimated net worth of £370million ($450m) that spans NBA salaries, media gigs, sponsorships, and savvy business dealings. He was the NBA's top earner in three separate seasons, with an eye-watering £20.3m top salary from the Miami Heat and total basketball earnings of £215m ($292m). O'Neal's portfolio isn't limited to shooting hoops; he's netted quite the collection in the business sector, too—buying 155 Five Guys eateries, owning 40 gyms, and sweeping up 150 car washes. However, despite sitting on a goldmine, which includes his endorsement deals with Papa Johns and Pepsi, Shaq is playing hardball when it comes to inheritance. He does not plan to hand over any cash unless his six offspring show grit and enterprise. No inheritance O'Neal opened up about family values on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, admitting his kids are annoyed that he doesn't plan to leave his millions as an inheritance. "My kids are older now. They're kinda upset with me," he confessed. "Not really upset, but they don't understand. I tell them all the time. We ain't rich. I'm rich." Clarifying his stance on wealth and responsibility, he explained: "You gotta have bachelor's or master's [degrees], and then if you want me to invest in one of your companies, you're going to have to present it, boom boom boom, bring it to me. I'll let you know, I'm not giving you nothing. "There's one rule: education. I don't care if you play basketball. I don't care about none of that. "Listen, I got six kids. I would like a doctor, somebody to own a hedge fund, a pharmacist, a lawyer, someone that owns multiple businesses, someone to take over my business. But I tell them I'm not going to hand it to you. You gotta earn." Rolls-Royce spree The former basketball superstar once flashed his cash in spectacular style, spending £1m ($1.3m) in a single day after feeling snubbed at a car dealership. O'Neal, who owns an impressive car collection, had an impulsive moment when a salesperson asked if he could afford a Rolls-Royce. This slight provoked him to purchase three vehicles in one go. It was later revealed that he'd had a customised Superman logo added to his Rolls-Royce Cullinan. "I don't wanna spend $400,000 for a car. So I'm like, 'Hey man how much is this? Nah. How much is this one?'" he recalled on the Revolt podcast, as per the Daily Star. "So finally the old guy says, 'Yo man, you asking about all these cars, can you afford them?'" "Now I'm p*****. I said, 'What the f*** you just said to me?' So I buy three. That one, that one, and that one, and I want them dropped off. Move the seat back. So I got 3 Rolls-Royces that I never drive. So there goes another million." Record trip to Walmart Shaq also boasted about setting a record at Walmart during his appearance on The Late Late Show in 2018. The shopping came shortly after O'Neal joined the Phoenix Suns from the Miami Heat in 2008. "I have the biggest purchase in Walmart history," he said while sitting next to Victoria Beckham. "$70,000. I get traded from Miami to Phoenix, and I'm the type of guy [that] I have no patience. So when I get to Phoenix, they have an apartment for me. Nothing's in it. "Two or three in the morning, I gotta go get four or five TVs, I gotta go get printers, I gotta go get laptops. I gotta go get sheets, towels, underwear, t-shirts." However, he hit a snag when his credit card was declined at the checkout, prompting a call from his bank over fraud concerns: Despite the hiccup, Shaq knew his financial status was solid: "I put it back in, and it said declined again. So now I'm saying, 'Well, I know I'm not broke,'" he quipped. "So I just said 'alright, I'll be back' and then the American Express security called me [and he said] 'hey man, somebody stole your credit card and they spent $70,000 at Walmart'. "I said 'no that was me', [the security guard replied] 'what the hell are you buying for $70,000?"
