Latest news with #McCoys
Express Tribune
21 hours 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
a day 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.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Rick Derringer, ubiquitous guitarist in US pop and rock, dies aged 77
Rick Derringer, the singer and guitarist who topped the US charts with his band the McCoys and was a sideman for a host of stars including Barbara Streisand, Cyndi Lauper and Steely Dan, has died aged 77. The news was announced in a Facebook post by his close friend Tony Wilson, who did not give a cause of death. While he didn't achieve household name status, Derringer was one of the great Zelig figures of American pop and rock, in a career stretching back to his mid-teens. Born Richard Zehringer in Ohio, he and his family moved to Union City, Indiana, where he formed garage rockers the McCoys. They got the chance to record their own version of the rhythm and blues song My Girl Sloopy, with a 17-year-old Derringer as frontman – renamed Hang on Sloopy, it reached No 1 in the US in 1965. After Ohio State University's marching band started playing it at college football games, it got another boost in popularity and eventually, in 1985, Ohio designated it the state's official rock song. The McCoys had another US Top 10 hit with the follow-up, a cover of Little Willie John's Fever. Come On, Let's Go reached No 22 the following year and the group recorded five albums together. The McCoys then partnered with blues rocker Johnny Winter for the group Johnny Winter And, who made the first recording of another Derringer rock classic: Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. The definitive version came in 1973, performed by Derringer for his debut solo album All American Boy. This raunchy and swaggering hard-rock track reached No 23 in the US, and later earned high-profile syncs on the soundtracks to Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused and the fourth season of Stranger Things. Also in 1973, Derringer returned to the top of the US charts thanks to his production and guitar playing for the Edgar Winter Group (fronted by the brother of Johnny Winter), on the hard-rocking instrumental Frankenstein. He also contributed to their No 14 hit Free Ride the same year. Derringer continued to release studio albums, eventually numbering 14 in all, but his most high-profile work came as a guitarist and producer for others. By 1973 he'd already played on a couple of songs on Alice Cooper's 1971 album Killer, and begun a fruitful partnership with Todd Rundgren, appearing on a number of his albums over the years. He later played on the Steely Dan albums Countdown to Ecstasy, Katy Died and Gaucho, and, in collaboration with Jim Steinman, two of the biggest power ballads of the 1980s: Air Supply's Making Love Out of Nothing at All and Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart. Derringer went on to work with another Steinman acolyte, Meat Loaf, on the album Blind Before I Stop and the TV show Way Off Broadway, and played lead guitar on the Steinman-penned Left in the Dark, the lead single from Barbra Streisand's 1984 album Emotion. Another repeat collaborator was Weird 'Al' Yankovic, including on his Grammy-winning Michael Jackson spoof Eat It. More cheerfully silly work was in the world of American wrestling, with Derringer writing Hulk Hogan's theme song Real American and producing tie-in albums for the World Wrestling Federation. The 1980s and 90s brought a partnership with Cyndi Lauper – Derringer played on her album True Colours and A Night to Remember, and joined her touring band. He later went on three world tours with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, and recorded albums with his wife Jenda, including one with their children Lory and Marn. Derringer continued to tour throughout his life, and his most recent album Rock the Yacht, another collaboration with Jenda, was released in 2023.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rick Derringer, the Rock and Roll musical legend, passes away at 77
Rick Derringer, the '60s charm and '70s hit singer, passed away at the age of 77 on Monday. The 'Hang on Sloopy' singer was hospitalised after having three bypass surgeries in a month, and his demise was confirmed by his wife, Jenda Derringer, according to TMZ. Jenda Derringer stated about his passing Rick's partner, Jenda, and his friend, Tony Wilson, were by his side during the time of his death. She revealed that he was taken off life support on Memorial Day. 'We thought we had years left, but God's timing is perfect,' Jenda added. Tony Wilson shares... Tony shared on his Facebook account, '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,' confirming the demise. During the weekend, the media outlets confirmed that he had been doing well; however, on Monday, Derringer was getting ready for bed, and the pillow was when his heart gave out due to a sort of shock experienced by the vocalist, according to Wilson. Who was Rick Derringer? The Rock and Roll singer has worked with many artists over his years, including Ringo Starr , Alice Cooper , Richie Havens, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper , Barbra Streisand , Kiss and more. Derringer experienced superstardom with his plethora of songs that charted the boards and lists. Born on August 5, 1947, he grew up in Ohio and moved to Union City, Indiana. Rick, when he was 17 years old, charted the lists when he joined the band, the McCoys. After the band broke up, he worked with the classics, earning 'Frankenstein.' In 1973, Derringer released his debut solo album, 'All American Boy,' and topped the charts again with its single. Yankovic shares... Yankovic, who worked with Rick Derringer in the '80s, wrote on Instagram, 'I'm very sad to say that my friend, rock guitar legend Rick Derringer, has passed. Rick produced my first 6 albums and played guitar on my earliest recordings, including the solo on 'Eat It.' He had an enormous impact on my life, and will be missed greatly.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved Rock Legend Rick Derringer Dead at 77
The entertainment world is in mourning following the death of a legendary rock musician after classic rock guitarist, singer, producer, and songwriter Rick Derringer died this week at 77 years old. Derringer's longtime friend and caretaker, Tony Wilson, shared the news via Facebook, per The Independent. The guitarist was surrounded by his wife, Jenda, and Wilson when he passed on May 26 in Ormond Beach, Florida. No cause of death was announced at the time, though an official Facebook page for Derringer and his wife had detailed several health issues in recent months, including an ankle bypass in March 2025. The final post from his Facebook profile came back on April 17 with a message that read: "We're all feeling great! Rick, Jenda and Derringer Dog, Lana Grace." "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. As a member of the McCoys, he achieved fame with hits like 'Hang On Sloopy.' Still live and well, Derringer also worked with notable artists such as Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Weird Al, Cyndi Lauper, and Barbra Streisand, and penned hits like 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' and 'Real American,'" read a statement from Derringer's caretaker. "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." Derringer first rose to prominence when his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy," which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 back in 1965. He eventually joined Johnny Winter in 1969, creating the band Johnny Winter And. 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. Later in his career, Derringer worked "extensively with singer Cyndi Lauper, produced Weird Al Yankovic's first album, and wrote and produced many popular theme songs for wrestlers, including Hulk Hogan's 'Real American,' according to Rock Legend Rick Derringer Dead at 77 first appeared on Men's Journal on May 27, 2025
