Latest news with #Weird
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rick Derringer, Singer of ‘Hang on Sloopy,' Writer of ‘Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo' and ‘Real American' Wrestling Theme, Dies at 77
Rick Derringer, whose six-decade career spanned teen stardom as lead singer of the '60s smash 'Hang on Sloopy,' a '70s solo hit with 'Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo,' session work with artists from Steely Dan to Barbra Streisand, and extensive work as a writer and producer of wrestling themes like Hulk Hogan's seemingly ageless 'Real American,' has died, according to an announcement from his caretaker, Tony Wilson, and Guitar Player magazine. Wilson's post states that Derringer died Monday evening in Ormond Beach, Fl. No cause of death was announced although Derringer had been in ill health in recent months; he was 77. A fiery and remarkably versatile guitarist, a strong singer and a high-profile presence on New York's rock scene of the '70s and '80s, Derringer also produced the Edgar Winter Group's 1972 smash single 'Frankenstein' and served as the band's guitarist for several years; worked closely with Winter's brother Johnny as a guitarist and producer; produced 'Weird' Al Yankovic's first album; and even gave Patti Smith her first major credit, on the song 'Jump' from Derringer's 1973 debut solo album, 'All-American Boy.' His eponymous band released several albums and toured heavily throughout the mid and late '70s — the band's final major incarnation featured Neil Giraldo, who immediately afterward scored major success as Pat Benatar's cowriter and guitarist (and husband to this day). Derringer and his first wife, Liz, were also members of Andy Warhol's extended circle and frequently appeared in rock magazines of the era. In his later years he worked extensively with singer Cyndi Lauper and wrote and produced many popular theme songs for wrestlers, including Hulk Hogan's 'Real American,' which has the curious legacy of being used as a theme song by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Born Richard Dean Zehringer in Ohio in 1947, the young Derringer received a guitar for his ninth birthday and began playing local gigs with his uncle, a country musician, before he was in high school. As a teen he formed a band called the McCoys with his brother Randy. In the summer of 1965 the songwriting-production team the Strangeloves — comprised of Richard Gottehrer, Jerry Goldstein and Bob Feldman, who'd scored a major hit with 'I Want Candy' — hired the group as a backing band and soon after enlisted them to record a cover of the song 'My Girl Sloopy,' originally released by the Vibrations the previous year. With the title altered to 'Hang on Sloopy,' the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that summer — replacing Barry McGuire's grim 'Eve of Destruction' — around the time Derringer (still working under his born name) turned 18. The hit has become a kind of theme song for Derringer's home state and, in a foretelling of his later years making music for professional sports, has been a staple of Ohio State football game for decades. The McCoys, who opened for the Rolling Stones on their first major North American tour, had minor follow-up hits but did not repeat that success, and began working with blues guitarist Johnny Winter in the late 1960s and, later, his brother Edgar, touring with both and playing on and producing their albums. The partnership with Edgar produced a massive single with 1972's 'Frankenstein,' an instrumental the band had been playing around with for years; the title came from the look of the master tape, which had so many segments spliced together that the musicians said it resembled the horror-movie character's stitches. The song, produced by Derringer, topped the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1973; he went on to replace Ronnie Montrose in the band shortly after and remained the Edgar Winter Group's guitarist and producer for the next three years. Also in 1973, Derringer enjoyed his first solo hit with 'Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo' (which has had such a long life that it was used in the fourth season of 'Stranger Things') and, after leaving Winter, launched his self-titled solo band, which toured extensively throughout the decade and released several albums; their concerts were heavy on guitar dueling and showmanship, and climaxed with Derringer and his second guitarist dramatically throwing their guitars to each other from opposite sides of the stage. Throughout the 1970s and '80s Derringer also worked extensively as a session musician, playing on albums by Steely Dan (including 'Countdown to Ecstasy,' 'Katy Lied' and 'Gaucho'), Todd Rundgren, Kiss and even Barbra Streisand. In the early 1980s he soloed on two massive singles written by Meatloaf mastermind Jim Steinman: Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and Air Supply's 'Making Love Out of Nothing at All.' In the mid-1980s he began working with singer Cyndi Lauper, touring in her band and playing on three of her albums (including the hit 'True Colors'), but perhaps more significant was the fact that it led to his entrée into the world of professional wrestling. 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. Most notable among these was Hulk Hogan's theme song 'Real American,' which was used by President Barack Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner when unveiling his birth certificate; as a campaign song by Hillary Clinton; and, inevitably, frequently by President Donald Trump. In his later years he toured with Ringo Starr's All Starr Band as well as Peter Frampton, Carmine Appice and others, aligned with conservative causes and released several Christian-themed albums with his wife, Jenda. 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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Weezer's first show was opening for Keanu Reeves' band Dogstar. Now the John Wick star is set to play a villain in the Buddy Holly hitmakers' forthcoming mockumentary
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The lovable alt-rock rogues in Weezer used their recent Coachella show to announce to the world that a Weezer movie was in the works – and now, completing what might be one of rock n' roll's wildest full circle moments, Keanu Reeves has been cast as the film's villain. Details about the feature length film have been few and far between so far, with the band's ever-charming frontman Rivers Cuomo simply stating the band were working on a 'Weezer movie back in L.A.' However, a report from film insider Jeff Sneider has since surfaced with more details. A la This Is Spinal Tap, which is set for a sequel later this year, the film is set to be a mockumentary. It's also been described as a cross between cult classic rock flick Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Weird Al Yankovic biopic, Weird. As for the barmy full-circle moment Reeves' casting creates, it can be traced right back to the beginning of the band's journeyman career. Weezer's first-ever show saw them supporting bassist Reeves' power trio Dogstar way back in 1992. Over 30 years later, the tables turned when the reformed Dogstar opened for Weezer in 2024, when Cuomo and co celebrated the 20th anniversary of their self-titled LP, also known as the Blue Album. Weezer also featured on the soundtrack to the third Bill & Ted film, which stars Reeves and counts Mastodon and Lamb of God among those who contributed to the film's aural drama. Reeves even confessed to having jams on set with his co-star Alex Winter, who plays Bill. The three-decade spanning 'rivalry' between the two bands is believed to form a key part of the plot, with the band set to star on the silver screen alongside Reeves, and other musically inclined actors like Juliette Lewis, and Eric Andre, as well as Jackass star Johnny Knoxville. It will be co-directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, and David Leitch has been tapped up as the film's producer. As per website Vinyl Me Please, band historian and unofficial member Karl Koch is also playing a key role in production. He recently organized a private merch signing event from which genuine fan interactions may be weaved into the film's narrative. After getting his old band back together, Reeves linked up with Fender for a stunning custom Precision bass loaded with a one-of-a-kind wiring feature that Fender chiefs couldn't believe hadn't been thought of before. Discussing his love for the low-end with Guitar World last year, he said, 'Whenever I would listen to music, I was attracted to the bass and lower registers. I loved the physicality of the bass, the weight, the strings. And just trying to sit in with the drums and guitar.' There is no slated release date for the film at the time of writing, but when it's out, you can bet Guitar World will be first in line.
Extra.ie
28-04-2025
- Extra.ie
Couple discover chilling warning in cabinet of new home
A couple who moved into their new home in recent months have been left wondering if they are being 'trolled' after they found a written warning in the house. Anita Rainier and her husband moved into the home in December with everything going pretty smooth for the couple who set about renovations. As the pair began their renovations they made a chilling discovery as they found a note tucked away in the top of the cabinet. A couple who moved into their new home in recent months have been left wondering if they are being 'trolled' after they found a written warning in the house. Pic: Reddit Speaking to Newsweek, Anita revealed that she was at an angle when she spotted the note. She said: 'It was this really well hidden bit of paper tightly tucked into the top of the cabinet, totally out of sight unless you got all the way down, like I was looking up.' The five-word warning read: 'Don't look under the floor.' The five-word warning read: 'Don't look under the floor.' Pic: Reddit A series of random numbers, 29065300489382, was written on the back of the warning note. While many would find the note terrifying, Anita and her husband found it 'both hilarious and kind of exciting'. 'What we thought was interesting was there were no results when we Googled the number,' she revealed, 'We were expecting it to be some number relating to at least something.' A series of random numbers, 29065300489382, was written on the back of the note. Pic: Reddit The couple tried various ways to decode the number, dividing it by unit number; ZIP code; the year the building was built and more, but to no avail. Anita has since taken to Reddit, sharing the note to the Weird subreddit. 'Found this note taped under a panel in this storage cabinet, previous owner just trolling me?' she wondered, with many taking to the comments to share their thoughts. One said: '2906530 is a bolt action slug shotgun. 2005-(048938) is the library of congress identifier for a Private Investigator handbook 'The Private Investigator Handbook: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Protect Yourself, Get Justice, or Get Even' that's all I got lol, I'm grasping at straws.' Another joked: 'Omg, this was the credentials to a Bitcoin wallet! I'm rich! Thank you for posting this!' A third advised: 'Trolling. Because in his mind it is funny to watch you tear out the floor. Don't worry about it. If it really bothers you, you can knock on the floor, and if anywhere sounds different than most of the floor or where the joists are, then you can waste your time.'
Chicago Tribune
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Riot Fest 2025: Green Day, Blink-182 and Weird Al Yankovic, plus a new deal to stay in Douglass Park
Riot Fest headliners for 2025 will be Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer and Jack White, along with sets by the Sex Pistols and The Beach Boys (current lineups), Weird Al Yankovic, Idles, Alkaline Trio and All Time Low. The three-day festival of punk and alternative music will be back in Douglass Park this summer with an all-star lineup of bands for its 20th anniversary, running Sept. 19-21 as part of a new, multi-year agreement with the Chicago Park District. Tickets (2-DAY and 3-DAY) are on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Other bands and performers in the first-wave announcement Wednesday include Idles, Rilo Kiley, Knocked Loose, Jawbreaker, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, The Pogues, The Hold Steady, The Front Bottoms, The Academy Is …, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, Texas Is The Reason, Knuckle Puck, The Wonder Years, Dance Hall Crashers, James, Sparks, Hanson, The Bouncing Souls, The Damned, Inhaler, Rico Nasty, Screeching Weasel, Citizen, Senses Fail, Microwave, Free Throw, Dehd, The Linda Lindas, Panchiko, Buzzcocks, Superchunk, Militarie Gun, The Cribs, Stiff Little Fingers, Shudder To Think, Helmet, Toche' Amore', Pegboy, Honey Revenge, Marky Ramone Plays The Ramones, The Ataris, Camper Van Beethoven, Marianas Trench, The Didjits, Agnostic Front, Thrown, Lambrini Girls, Ovlov, Soft Play, Smoking Popes, Puddles Pity Party, H2O, Juila Wolf, Violent Vira, Delta Sleep, Mac Sabbath, Chase Petra, Wishy, The Effigies, Girl In A Coma, Samiam, The Tossers, Shonen Knife, Zero Boys, Speed of Light, The Paradox, The Barbarians of California, Agent Orange, Quannic, Harrison Gordon, Weakend Friends, Dune Rats, Footballhead, Big Ass Trick I.E., Cliffdiver, Loviet and Emo Phillips. The initial lineup comes on the heels of news earlier this month that the independently owned Riot Fest reached an agreement with the city to stay in Douglass Park for at least the next three years, while increasing its spending on improvements for the park. Under the terms of the deal, reached April 9 at the monthly meeting of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners, Riot Fest will remain in the park in the North Lawndale neighborhood through 2027, with an option to extend through 2029. Starting this summer, Riot Fest will contribute 30% of its revenue from the event to capital improvements in the park, up from 10% in previous years. Riot Fest will be granted a daily capacity of 50,000 per day for 2025, the 20th year for the festival and its 13th year in Chicago parks. Additionally, festival dates this year have been changed to not overlap with the Mexican Independence Day Parade, and Riot Fest has pledged to leave open as much of the park area it uses south of Ogden Avenue as possible during setup and teardown, running from Sept. 10-26. In all, said Park District deputy director of revenue Lauren Quinn, proceeds from Riot Fest will total $3 million to $4.5 million for the Park District through the end of the agreement in 2029, with roughly $1 million of that going to the park for improvements. City agreements with Lollapalooza and Sueños in Grant Park and ARC Music Festival in Union Park were also discussed at the April meeting. The debate over Riot Fest's location reached a peak last year, when the music festival announced it would relocate to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The festival has been criticized for its use of a city park and for fencing off its footprint from the surrounding community; opponents of the festival also spoke at the April meeting. In 2024, after Park District permit approval and the support of Ald. Monique Scott, 24th, Riot Fest reversed its decision and returned to the park, where it has been since 2015 after moving from Humboldt Park. 'It's not about a single weekend. It's about building something that lasts,' Riot Fest organizer Mike Petryshyn, who goes by Riot Mike, said in part in a recent statement. Riot Fest also makes efforts to support residents of the surrounding neighborhoods with employment opportunities and free tickets through its Beyond the Fest initiatives. The announcement Wednesday said 2025 Riot Fest would have more than 90 performers in all, with a next announcement coming 10 a.m. Thursday. Along with music and comedians in this year's lineup, festival-goers can expect the festival's signature assortment of carnival rides, sideshow tents, and vendors, including a promised increased emphasis on food vendors from the surrounding community.
