R.I.P. - US-American guitarist Rick Derringer died on May 26, 2025

The American rock musician, songwriter, and producer Rick Derringer passed away on May 26, 2025. Derringer's death was confirmed on Facebook by his friend Tony Wilson. Derringer, who was also a singer, was 77 years old. He had recently suffered from illness and surgeries.

The rock musician had made a name for himself as a partner of Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and Alice Cooper. He also had a musical partnership with Johnny and Edgar Winter. Derringer also contributed to albums by Barbra Streisand, Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf, Kiss, and Bonnie Tyler (with their hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart").

His own hits include "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" and, of course, his band, the McCoys' version of "Hang On Sloopy." With this song, they even beat the Beatles in the charts. Other McCoys hits included "Fever" and "C'Mon Let's Go." He toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band for several years and was on the road with Peter Frampton on his Guitar Circus Tour.

Across six decades of music history, Rick Derringer – real name Richard Dean Zehringer – has demonstrated his talent in a variety of ways. It was no coincidence that he was in high demand as a session musician. In addition to his solo career, he produced six albums by Weird Al Yankovic, an American musician and parodist.
With Rick Derringer, the music world has lost an extremely versatile musician, songwriter, and producer who was in demand for many decades and who certainly left his mark.

Hang On Sloopy - Rick Derringer Video

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer & The Edgar Winter Group | The Midnight Special

EDGER WINTER & RICK DERRINGER 1990 TOKYO JAPAN

 

Cyndi Lauper & Rick Derringer 10-16-86 two songs late night TV performance

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer & The Edgar Winter Group

RICK DERRINGER - LIVE - IN CONCERT - STURGIS NORTH - by Gene Greenwood

 

And the hit song many only knew to be Edgar Winter

 

As a kid I used to love that song Hong on Sloopy. Until today I thought it was Hang on Snoopy.
Rest In Peace Rick Derringer.

 

In 1973, Derringer released the solo album All American Boy.

Rick Derringer - All American Boy LP - Joy Ride

Rick Derringer - All American Boy LP - Teenage Queen

Rick Derringer - All American Boy LP - Cheap Tequila

 

R.I.P. Rick... part of my past has gone.. I saw Rick with the Edgar Winter Group in '74.. Richmond Va.. Tickets were like $8 bucks I think..
Got a chance to yell "Turn it Up... Turn it up" between songs...

I'll always remember his grin as he walked back to his amps and spun all the knobs up to TEN... My God those were the days...

Take care up there Rick.. You have a lot of folks to play guitar with now... CubeDude

 

R.I.P. Rick. For so many of us older musicians in our advanced ages every day is a gift, Having had a serious brush with death and recuperating, all of us old coots have got to remember we aren't in our primes anymore even after surviving cancer, other surgeries and health issues we are existing on borrowed time now.

 

Derringer was a great great guitarist...RIP.

 

peace be upon him !