Latest news with #RickDerringer
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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
20 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.
Yahoo
2 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
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ohio State rock' n' roll icon passes away after decades of bringing fans closer together
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. 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.
