Latest news with #TheMcCoys
Yahoo
7 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.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Rick Derringer, who shot to fame with "Hang On Sloopy" and sang Hulk Hogan's theme song, dies at 77
Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer, who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded "Hang On Sloopy," had a hit with "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" and earned a Grammy Award for producing "Weird Al " Yankovic's debut album, has died. He was 77. Derringer died Monday in Ormond Beach, Florida, according to a Facebook announcement from his caregiver, Tony Wilson. No cause of death was announced. Derringer's decades in the music industry spanned teen stardom, session work for bands like Steely Dan, supplying the guitar solo on Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and producing for Cyndi Lauper. "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. Guitarist Rick Derringer performs at Radio City Music Hall in New York on July 7, 2010. Evan Agostini / AP 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." 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." "I'm very sad to say that my friend, rock guitar legend Rick Derringer, has passed," Yankovic said in an Instagram post with a photo of him and Derringer in the studio. "Rick produced my first six 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." 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." 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 mostly of pro wrestlers' theme songs, many of which he co-wrote, including what would become Hulk Hogan's theme song "Real American."
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Rick Derringer, who had a hit with 'Hang On Sloopy' and produced 'Weird Al,' dies At 77
LOS ANGELES, May 28, (AP): Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer, who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded "Hang On Sloopy,' had a hit with "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' and earned a Grammy Award for producing "Weird Al ' Yankovic's debut album, has died. He was 77. Derringer died Monday in Ormond Beach, Florida, according to a Facebook announcement from his caregiver, Tony Wilson. No cause of death was announced. Derringer's decades in the music industry spanned teen stardom, session work for bands like Steely Dan, supplying the guitar solo on Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart' and producing for Cyndi Lauper. "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. 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.' 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.' "I'm very sad to say that my friend, rock guitar legend Rick Derringer, has passed,' Yankovic said in an Instagram post with a photo of him and Derringer in the studio. "Rick produced my first six 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.' 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.' 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 mostly of pro wrestlers' theme songs, many of which he co-wrote, including what would become Hulk Hogan's theme song "Real American.'
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
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Guitarist Rick Derringer dead aged 77
Rick Derringer, the celebrated classic rock guitarist whose career spanned over six decades, has died aged 77. His longtime friend and caretaker Tony Wilson confirmed the news, stating Derringer passed away at 8:09pm on Monday (26.05.25) 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 honor 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.
