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Coldplay covers Crystal Waters’ “Gypsy Woman” in BBC live session
7 years ago
Rick Derringer has maintained a prolific career as a musician, songwriter, and producer, known for his versatility across rock, pop, and blues genres.
Derringer's guitar and production skills were always in demand, collaborating with Steely Dan on tracks like "Show Biz Kids" and "Chain Lightning."
Rick Derringer was a member of the Edgar Winter Group, contributing as a musician and producer, notably for hits like "Frankenstein."
Rick Derringer gained success in the 1960s with his band, The McCoys, known for their number-one hit "Hang On Sloopy."
Derringer's collaborations included playing guitar for Kiss, among many other artists like Cyndi Lauper and Barbra Streisand.
Derringer worked with Cyndi Lauper, providing guitar and production skills on her albums and touring with her band.
Derringer played with Johnny Winter, deconstructed Michael Jackson, and wrote Hulk Hogan's anthem, showcasing his role as a guitar idol.
Rick Derringer played guitar on Barbra Streisand's song "Emotion" from her album of the same name.
Rick Derringer played lead guitar on the song "Under My Wheels" by Alice Cooper in 1971.
Richard Dean Zehringer, known professionally as Rick Derringer, was born on August 5, 1947, in Celina, Ohio. His musical journey began early, influenced by his parents’ record collection and his uncle, a popular guitarist. Derringer received his first electric guitar at age nine and soon formed a band with his brother, Randy, inspired by the British Invasion. The family later moved to Union City, Indiana, where Derringer continued with his band, eventually settling on the name The McCoys.
In 1965, before turning 18, Derringer and The McCoys achieved national success with their debut single, “Hang On Sloopy,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This song became an anthem for his home state of Ohio. Following The McCoys, Derringer collaborated extensively with brothers Johnny and Edgar Winter, playing guitar and producing their gold and platinum records. His solo career took off in 1973 with the hit song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” from his album “All American Boy.” Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Derringer was a sought-after session musician, contributing to albums by artists such as Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Bette Midler, and Barbra Streisand.
Derringer’s production work garnered further acclaim, notably producing six albums for “Weird Al” Yankovic, including the Grammy Award-winning songs “Eat It” and “Fat.” He also produced “The Wrestling Album” (1985) and “Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II” (1987) for the World Wrestling Federation, featuring iconic theme songs like Hulk Hogan’s “Real American.” His career also included touring with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and collaborating with Peter Frampton. In later years, Derringer embraced evangelical Christianity, releasing Christian music albums with his third wife, Jenda, and aligning with conservative causes. He passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, at the age of 77.
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