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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Rick Derringer dies at 77 after decades of shaping rock, pop, and wrestling music
Rick Derringer, celebrated American singer and guitarist known for his wide-ranging contributions to rock and pop music, has died at age 77. The news was shared by close friend Tony Wilson in a Facebook post, though no cause of death was provided. Born Richard Zehringer in Ohio, Derringer began his music career in Union City, Indiana, with garage rock band the McCoys. At just 17, he fronted the group's breakout hit 'Hang on Sloopy,' which reached No. 1 in 1965. The track later became Ohio's official rock song, cementing its cultural significance. The McCoys followed up with hits like 'Fever' and 'Come On, Let's Go,' releasing five albums before joining forces with blues-rocker Johnny Winter in the group Johnny Winter And. Derringer's solo debut came in 1973 with All American Boy, featuring the enduring hard rock anthem 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.' The song later gained renewed fame through appearances in Dazed and Confused and Stranger Things. That same year, he played guitar and produced the Edgar Winter Group's No. 1 instrumental 'Frankenstein' and contributed to their hit 'Free Ride.' Though he released 14 solo albums, Derringer was perhaps best known as a sideman and producer. He worked with legends like Alice Cooper, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Meat Loaf, Barbra Streisand, and Cyndi Lauper. His guitar work also featured on 'Weird Al' Yankovic's Grammy-winning 'Eat It' and WWF's 'Real American,' Hulk Hogan's theme song. Later in life, Derringer toured with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band and recorded with his wife Jenda and their children. His final album, Rock the Yacht, was released in 2023. A prolific and versatile artist, Derringer's legacy spans generations and genres.
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Rick Derringer, who had a hit with ‘Hang On Sloopy' and produced ‘Weird Al,' dies at 77
'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. Advertisement 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.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 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.' Advertisement 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.'
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rick Derringer dead at 77: Grammy-winning classic rock guitarist who worked with Cyndi Lauper & had number 1 hit dies
ROCK STAR GONE Rick Derringer dead at 77: Grammy-winning classic rock guitarist who worked with Cyndi Lauper & had number 1 hit dies RICK Derringer, guitarist behind the garage rock number-one hit Hang On Sloopy, has died at 77. The musician passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, according to a Facebook post by longtime friend and carer Tony Wilson. Advertisement 3 Rick Derringer has died at 77 Credit: Getty 3 Seen here around 1980, Rick shot to fame aged just 17 after his band's debut single hit number one in 1965 Credit: Getty 3 Rick performing in Michigan in 2012 Credit: Getty Rick had suffered from several health issues in recent months, according to the post, though no specific cause of death was given. He shot to fame when he was just 17 after his band, The McCoys, recorded 'Hang On Sloopy" in 1965. The record hit number one and is revered as a classic from the garage rock era. After four years of touring, three members of The McCoys including Rick joined forces with the long-white-haired blues rocker Johnny Winter, in 1969. Advertisement As a four-piece the group put out an album called Johnny Winter And. Rick later joined Johnny's brother, Edgar Winter, full-time in his band White Trash, releasing the EP Roadwork. In 1973, he worked a solo album, All American Boy, which featured the hit single Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. He is also credited with discovering Weird Al Yankovic, producing music for his albums and videos, such as the Michael Jackson parodies 'Eat It' and 'Who's Fat.' Advertisement Rick's sole Grammy Award came from his work producing Yankovic's albums. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rick Derringer dead at 77: Grammy-winning classic rock guitarist who worked with Cyndi Lauper & had number 1 hit dies
RICK Derringer, guitarist behind the garage rock number-one hit Hang On Sloopy, has died at 77. The musician passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, according to a Facebook post by longtime friend and carer Tony Wilson. Advertisement 3 Rick Derringer has died at 77 Credit: Getty 3 Seen here around 1980, Rick shot to fame aged just 17 after his band's debut single hit number one in 1965 Credit: Getty 3 Rick performing in Michigan in 2012 Credit: Getty Rick had suffered from several health issues in recent months, according to the post, though no specific cause of death was given. He shot to fame when he was just 17 after his band, The McCoys, recorded 'Hang On Sloopy" in 1965. The record hit number one and is revered as a classic from the garage rock era. After four years of touring, three members of The McCoys including Rick joined forces with the long-white-haired blues rocker Johnny Winter, in 1969. Advertisement As a four-piece the group put out an album called Johnny Winter And. Rick later joined Johnny's brother, Edgar Winter, full-time in his band White Trash, releasing the EP Roadwork. In 1973, he worked a solo album, All American Boy, which featured the hit single Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. He is also credited with discovering Weird Al Yankovic, producing music for his albums and videos, such as the Michael Jackson parodies 'Eat It' and 'Who's Fat.' Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Latest Exclusive Rick's sole Grammy Award came from his work producing Yankovic's albums. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rick Derringer death: Classic rock guitarist of ‘Hang On Sloopy' fame dies aged 77
Classic rock guitarist and singer Rick Derringer has reportedly died at the age of 77. Derringer's longtime friend and caretaker, Tony Wilson, shared the news via Facebook. The guitarist was surrounded by his wife, Jenda, and Wilson when he passed on May 26. No cause of death has been given. Derringer shot to fame at age 17 when his band The McCoys recorded 'Hang On Sloopy.' The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. After four years touring with The McCoys, Derringer joined Johnny Winter in 1969, forming Johnny Winter And. Derringer later joined Edgar Winter's White Trash full-time, and released the EP Roadwork. Derringer released a solo album, All American Boy, in 1973, which featured the hit song 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' as a single. Later in his career, Derringer lent his talents to the albums of Alice Cooper, Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and Kiss, among others. 'Derringer's legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent,' Wilson wrote in a statement. 'His passing leaves a void in the music world, and he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones.' More to follow
