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7 hours ago
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In Memoriam May 2025: Rick Derringer and others
In Memoriam May 2025: Rick Derringer and others originally appeared on Goldmine. May's music losses include Rick Derringer, members of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, The Spinners, and more. Rick Derringer Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Rick Derringer, born Richard Zehringer, passed away May 26 in Florida at age 77. The Ohio native first achieved success in 1965 as a member of The McCoys with the No. 1 hit 'Hang on Sloopy,' since recognized as the state's official rock song and has become a staple at The Ohio State University football games. The Midwest band's version of 'Fever' followed in the Top 10. In the early '70s, Derringer was a member of Johnny Winter's group called Johnny Winter And, with his composition 'Rock and Roll, Hootchie Koo' appearing on a studio album and a live album. Derringer also worked with Winter's brother Edgar, most notably producing the album They Only Come Out at Night, featuring a pair of Top 40 hits in 1973: 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride.' The following year, as a solo artist, Derringer hit the Top 10 with his version of 'Rock and Roll, Hootchie Koo,' complete with the Johnny Winter-style growl. In the mid-'70s, he formed the band Derringer and in the late '70s, it included fellow Ohioan guitarist Neil Giraldo, who went on to work with, collaborate, and marry Pat Benatar in the following decade. Over the years, as a guitarist and producer, Derringer worked with many artists including Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Cyndi Lauper, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, and songwriter Jim Steinman's slew of artists: Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, and Air Supply. Derringer stated that his guitar solo on Air Supply's "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" was his favorite of all the solos he had recorded. Click here to read and hear about Goldmine's Top 20 Rick Derringer Songs Ranked Larry Lee The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' drummer and vocalist Larry Lee passed away May 10 at age 78. Lee was with the Springfield, Missouri group from their 1971 beginning through 1982. Their Top 40 debut happened in 1974 with Steve Cash's harmonica driven 'If You Wanna Get to Heaven,' which reached No. 25. The following year, the group achieved their biggest hit with 'Jackie Blue,' which reached No. 3, co-written by Cash and Lee. Billy Earheart The Amazing Rhythm Aces' keyboardist Billy Earheart passed away May 13 at age 71. The Knoxville, Tennessee country rock group debuted in the pop Top 40 in 1974 with 'Third Rate Romance,' which reached No. 14 and did a bit better on the country chart, peaking at No. 11. The group's next single, 'Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song),' became a Top 10 country hit, and the single after that, 'The End is Not in Sight,' reached No. 12 on the country chart, helping the band secure a Grammy award for Country Vocal Group. Renaissance Records has just released Alive in America, a double album on green vinyl. The label's founder and president John Edwards told Goldmine, 'First of all, Billy was my friend. He helped organize the licensing of the live recording, and we also bonded over music and baseball cards. Billy was a huge baseball fan and he and I always discussed the great players of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. I will really miss him, he was one of the good guys in this business." John Edwards The Spinners' lead tenor vocalist from 1977 through 2000, John Edwards, passed away May 11 at age 80. Edwards was heard singing lead on the early 1980 gold single 'Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl.' The medley format of a 1960s hit blended with a new composition from Michael Zager worked so well with the Top 5 hit 'Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl,' that it was repeated with their next single, 'Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time,' and again, it became a Top 5 hit with Edwards singing lead. James Lowe The Electric Prunes' lead vocalist James Lowe passed away May 22. The Los Angeles psychedelic rock band reached No. 11 in early 1967 with 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' followed by the intense 'Get Me to the World on Time,' which reached No. 27. Jill Sobule Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jill Sobule passed away May 1 at age 66. Sobule's 1995 song 'I Kissed a Girl' reached No. 66 for the Denver native and was accompanied by a fun video featuring male model Fabio Lanzoni. The same year as 'I Kissed a Girl,' Sobule's 'Supermodel' was part of the Clueless film soundtrack, and the video included scenes from that film. Johnny Rodriguez Country music singer-songwriter and guitarist Johnny Rodriguez passed away May 9 at age 73. From 1973 through 1975, Rodriguez topped the country chart a half dozen times with songs including his composition 'Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico,' which spent two weeks in the top spot. Mark Greene The Moments' original lead vocalist Mark Green passed away May 20. In 1968, the New Jersey R&B trio debuted in the pop Top 100 with 'Not on the Outside,' featuring Green's falsetto lead vocals. The single became an R&B Top 20 hit. After this first single on the Stang label, the team at the record company replaced the original trio with three other singers, Harry Ray, Al Goodman, and Billy Brown, who later recorded as Ray, Goodman & Brown. Simon House Violinist and keyboardist Simon House passed away May 25 at age 76. House was with Hawkwind in the mid-'70s and David Bowie in the late-'70s. Cleopatra Records founder Brian Perera stated, 'Simon wasn't just a musician, he was a sonic architect who helped shape the sound of a generation. He shared the stage with legends: David Bowie, Lemmy-era Hawkwind, and Nik Turner, always leaving his unmistakable mark. From the art-rock brilliance of Bowie's 'Boys Keep Swinging' era to the boundary-pushing tours with Nik and Cleopatra in the '90s, Simon's electrifying violin and cosmic keyboard work lifted every track, every show, and every moment. His vision brought depth, texture, and soul. He simply made everything better.' James Baker Hoodoo Gurus drummer James Baker passed away May 5 at age 71. Baker was with the Australian group from 1981 through 1984, including playing on their debut gold album Stoneage Romeos. In April of this year, bassist Kimble Rendall, who played with the band in 1981 and 1982, also passed away. Roger Nichols Songwriter Roger Nichols passed away May 17 at age 84. Nichols co-wrote the Top 100 singles 'Someday Man' for The Monkees, 'Out in the Country' for Three Dog Night, 'Times of Your Life' for Paul Anka, and three Carpenters' hits, 'We've Only Just Begun,' 'Rainy Days and Mondays,' and 'I Won't Last a Day Without You,' the latter also charting for Maureen McGovern. Charles Strouse Songwriter Charles Strouse passed away May 15 at age 96. Strouse co-wrote 'Born Too Late' with Fred Tobias for the Poni-Tails, a pop female vocal trio from Brush High School, in the Cleveland suburb of Lyndhurst, Ohio, which became a Top 10 hit in 1958. Strouse followed this success by co-writing many Broadway musicals including Bye Bye Birdie and Annie. Al Foster Jazz drummer Al Foster passed away May 28 at age 82. Foster played with Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, and many other jazz musicians over the years. In 1978, he released the first album under his name, the jazz fusion Mixed Roots. Michael B. Tretow ABBA sound engineer Michael B. Tretow passed away May 20 at age 80. Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and author Joe Matera has written a book on ABBA's self-titled hit filled third album, publishing later this year as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Matera told Goldmine, "The Beatles had George Martin, who was considered the band's 'fifth' member, and Swedish pop group ABBA had their fifth member in Michael B Tretow. The pioneering sound engineer was the sonic architect of the group's signature wall of sound. The chemistry between Tretow and the four members of the group was such that together they created a signature sound that has forever been etched into the music history books. Tretow, who was also a musician himself, worked with the band on all their albums, except for the group's 2021 album, Voyage. Paying tribute to Tretow, ABBA's Benny Andersson summed it up best when he said, 'You meant more to the four of us in ABBA than anyone else, and the finest sound engineer the world has ever seen.'" Joe Louis Walker As May began, we learned that singer-songwriter and electric blues guitarist Joe Louis Walker, born Louis Joseph Walker, Jr., passed away April 30 at age 75. Over the years, Walker was a featured guitarist on many albums, including B.B. King's 1993 Grammy winning Blues Summit album which included a duet of Walker's composition 'Everybody's Had the Blues.' For related items you may enjoy in our Goldmine store (see below): Click here for the Goldmine store This story was originally reported by Goldmine on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
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Legendary rock guitarist, Grammy-winning producer dies at 77
Legendary guitarist Rick Derringer, who rose to fame with his band The McCoys and produced several Grammy-winning records, died on Memorial Day. He was 77. Derringer died in Ormond Beach, Florida on Monday, May 26, according to a Facebook post from his caregiver, Tony Wilson. 'With a career spanning six decades, The Legendary Rick Derringer left an indelible mark on the music industry as a guitarist, Singer songwriter, and producer,' the post reads. 'Derringer's legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent,' it continued. 'His passing leaves a void in the music world, and he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones.' No cause of death was announced. Derringer gained success in the 1960s as a member of The McCoys. The band's debut single, 'Hang on Sloopy,' became a No. 1 hit in 1965. The McCoys had several songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, including covers of 'Fever' and 'Come on Let's Go.' Derringer also earned a hit of his own in 1973 with 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,' which peaked at No. 23. Derringer worked with numerous major artists such as Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, KISS, Cyndi Lauper and Barbra Streisand. He played guitar in bands for Edgar and Johnny Winter and produced all of the brothers' gold and platinum records, including 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride.' Derringer also produced 'Weird Al' Yankovic's Grammy Award-winning songs 'Eat It' (1984) and 'Fat' (1988). He also produced two of the World Wrestling Federation's albums, containing the hits 'Real American' and 'Demolition,' as well as three songs from the soundtrack of Tom Hanks' 1984 film 'Bachelor Party.' Pop headliner announced for The Big E Arena in fall 2025 performance Billie Eilish extends 2025 tour: Where to buy tickets to New York show 'I loved him': Legendary singer kissed 'errant father' goodbye as he died R&B legend backs out of music festival week before due to health issues Philly bands SNACKTIME, Mo Lowda & the Humble open Sunday Boston Calling main stage (Photos) Read the original article on MassLive.
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.
American Military News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- American Military News
Classic rock guitarist, ‘Real American' singer Rick Derringer dies at 77
Classic rock guitarist and 'Real American' singer Rick Derringer has died. He was 77 years old. His longtime wife, Jenda Derringer, told TMZ he died 'peacefully' at a hospital in Ormond Beach, Florida, after being taken off life support following a medical emergency involving his heart. He reportedly underwent triple bypass surgery two months ago. The Ohio native first gained fame with his band the McCoys, whose 'Hang on Sloopy' was a No. 1 hit in 1965. He went on to work with Edgar and Johnny Winters in their bands, playing on classic rock radio staples like 'Frankenstein,' another No. 1 hit. He also collaborated with Steely Dan, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Todd Rundgren, Alice Cooper, Barbara Streisand and toured several times with Cyndi Lauper. He played the guitar solo on Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' written by frequent partner Jim Steinman. Derringer had a solo hit of his own with 'Real American,' a song recorded for a soundtrack for the World Wrestling Federation that became Hulk Hogan's theme music for several years. Lauper provided backing vocals on the tune. Richard Dean Zehringer was born in Celina, Ohio, on Aug. 5, 1947. He began playing music with his brother Randy in the late 1950s. Their band the McCoys was chosen by a set of record producers to record 'Hang on Sloopy,' which has since become a popular in-stadium anthem at Ohio State football games and Cleveland Guardians games. Later in his career, he joined star-studded lineups on tours with Ringo Starr and Peter Frampton while ultimately releasing more than 25 albums, including several blues and jazz LPs. Following a late-in-life conversion, he and his wife produced several Christian-themed albums. ___ © 2025 New York Daily News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ohio State rock' n' roll icon passes away after decades of bringing fans closer together
One of the men who has helped shape the culture of Ohio State athletic teams has passed away at the age of 77. While he never played in a game, Rick Derringer played something else that would make a lasting impression in the hearts of Buckeye fans all over the world. Derringer was a guitarist with a band called "The McCoys" who brought the song Hang on Sloopy to Buckeye Nation. The song made its Ohio Stadium debut on October 9, 1965 by the OSU marching band and was named the state's official rock song on November 20, 1985. If you're any kind of Ohio State fan and if you read Buckeyes Wire, you most likely are, you instantly know the rhythmic beat to the famed Sloopy. The tune has become a staple of just about every OSU sporting event since 1965, especially in the Horseshoe on Saturday afternoons in the fall. Just this past weekend, my wife and I were at a reception in Illinois, of all places, and the cover band began playing the familiar notes to the song. We both perked up and added the "O-H-I-O" at the appropriate time, to the looks of bewilderment from those not from the Buckeye State. Advertisement People come and go as is the nature of life. Our hope is that when we're gone, we'll leave some type of lasting impression, hopfully in a positive way. Rick Derringer was part of something that did just that. Although he and the band proably didn't know it at the time, they have become part of tradition that makes college sports so relatiable and brings people from all walks of life closer together. This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Rick Derringer helped give Ohio State fans reason to sing
