Rick Derringer

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Rick Derringer

| image = Rick Derringer - New Haven - 39705766793 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Derringer performing at
New Haven Coliseum in 1977

| alt = Derringer playing guitar onstage

| birth_name = Richard Dean Zehringer

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1947|8|5|mf=yes}}

| birth_place = Celina, Ohio, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|5|26|1947|8|5|mf=yes}}

| death_place = Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S.

| instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}

| genre = {{nobr|{{hlist|Hard rock|blues rock|pop rock}}}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|songwriter|producer}}{{force singular}}

| years_active = 1965–2025

| label =

| past_member_of = The McCoys

| website = {{URL|https://rickderringer.com/}}

}}

Richard Dean Zehringer (August 5, 1947 – May 26, 2025), known professionally as Rick Derringer, was an American musician, producer and songwriter. He gained success in the 1960s with his band, the McCoys. Their debut single, "Hang On Sloopy", became a number-one hit in 1965 and is regarded as a classic track from the garage rock era. The McCoys had seven songs chart in the top 100, including covers of "Fever" and "Come On, Let's Go". After releasing All American Boy, Derringer established a career as a solo artist.{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/rick-derringer-hang-on-sloopy-real-american-writer-dead-1236411000/ |title=Rick Derringer, Singer of 'Hang on Sloopy,' Writer of 'Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo' and 'Real American' Wrestling Theme, Dies at 77 |first=Jem |last=Aswad |magazine=Variety |date=May 27, 2025 |access-date=May 28, 2025}}

In 1973, Derringer found further success with his song "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo". He worked extensively with brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter, playing lead and rhythm guitar in their bands and producing all of their gold and platinum records, including Edgar Winter's hits "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride" (both in 1973). He collaborated with Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and "Weird Al" Yankovic, producing Yankovic's Grammy Award-winning songs "Eat It" (1984) and "Fat" (1988). He produced the World Wrestling Federation's album The Wrestling Album (1985) and its follow-up, Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II (1987). Those albums featured Hulk Hogan's entrance song, "Real American", initially the theme song of the tag team U.S. Express;{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-derringer-dies-hang-on-sloopy-hulk-hogan-theme-song-age-77/|title=Rick Derringer, who shot to fame with "Hang On Sloopy" and sang Hulk Hogan's theme song, dies at 77|publisher=CBS News|date=May 28, 2025|access-date=May 28, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.darientimes.com/entertainment/article/rick-derringer-dead-hulk-hogan-real-american-wwe-20347758.php |title=Rick Derringer Dead Hulk : Hogan Real : American WWE |first=Daniel |last=Figueroa |newspaper=The Darien Times |date=May 27, 2025 |access-date=May 28, 2025}}{{cite book |first1=Greg |last1=Oliver |first2=Steve |last2=Johnson |title=The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams |publisher=ECW Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-5502-2683-6}} and the Demolition tag team's theme, "Demolition". Derringer produced three songs on the soundtrack of the 1984 Tom Hanks film Bachelor Party.

Life and career

=Early life and 1960s=

Derringer was born in Celina, Ohio, on August 5, 1947, and grew up in Fort Recovery, Ohio. He was the son of John Otto Zehringer and Janice Lavine (Thornburg) Zehringer. His father was a section foreman on the Nickel Plate Railroad.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JI4LHXgz7YEC&q=Janice+Thornburg+Zehringer&pg=PA160 |title=Gallagher, Marriott, Derringer & Trower: Their Lives and Music |first=Dan |last=Muise |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |year=2002|isbn=9780634029561 |quote="I was born a year and a half later, August 5, 1947, in Celina, 22 miles away. Fort Recovery didn't have a hospital." }} According to Derringer, aside from his parents' extensive record collection, his first major influence was his uncle Jim Thornburg, who was a popular guitarist and singer in Ohio. Derringer recalled hearing him play guitar in the kitchen of his parents' home and knowing immediately that he wanted to learn the instrument. He was eight years old at the time, and his parents gave him his first electric guitar for his ninth birthday.{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/classic-interview-rick-derringer-august-1975|title=Classic Interview Rick Derringer August 1975|website=GuitarPlayer.com}} Soon after, he and his brother Randy began playing music together. After eighth grade, the family moved to Union City, Indiana, where Derringer formed a band he called the McCoys. He renamed the band the Rick Z Combo and then Rick and the Raiders before reverting to the original name.

In the summer of 1965, before Derringer turned 18, the McCoys were hired to back a New York-based band called the Strangeloves in concert. The Strangeloves, record producers from New York City,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/rick-derringer-obituary-singer-who-went-to-no-1-with-beatles-inspired-sound-xgkq0b7s7 |website=thetimes.com |title=Obituary Rick Derringer| date=9 June 2025 | access-date=11 June 2025}} were looking for a band to record the song "My Girl Sloopy", written by Wes Farrell and Bert Berns,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/rick-derringer-obituary-singer-who-went-to-no-1-with-beatles-inspired-sound-xgkq0b7s7 |website=thetimes.com |title=Obituary Rick Derringer| date=9 June 2025 | access-date=11 June 2025}} and chose the McCoys. Derringer persuaded the producers to change the title to "Hang On Sloopy". The Strangeloves recorded the guitar and instrumental parts and the McCoys were brought into the studio to sing on the recording, which was released under their name and reached number one on the Hot 100. Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" fell from number one to number two; The Beatles' "Yesterday" zoomed from number 45 to number three.{{cite web |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-mccoys-hang-on-sloopy/ |title=The Story of the McCoys' Trip to the Top of the Charts With 'Hang On Sloopy' |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=October 2, 2015 |access-date=January 5, 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1965/hot-100 |title=The Hot 100 – 1965 Archive {{!}} Billboard Charts Archive |newspaper=Billboard |access-date=January 5, 2017}} "Hang On Sloopy" became an anthem for Derringer's home state of Ohio, especially at Ohio State Buckeyes football games, where fans chant "O-H-I-O" during the song's chorus. It is also a staple at Cleveland Guardians home games at Progressive Field and plays at the end of every tour at Ohio Caverns.

=1970s=

File:Rick Derringer.jpg

Derringer and the McCoys joined Johnny Winter in a group they called "Johnny Winter And", with the "And" referring to the McCoys. Derringer later became part of Edgar Winter's White Trash and the Edgar Winter Group.{{cite web |last1=Eder |first1=Bruce |title=AllMusic Review of Johnny Winter And |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/johnny-winter-and-mw0000312588 |website=AllMusic|access-date=April 21, 2017}}
{{cite web |last1=Eder |first1=Bruce |title=Rick Derringer Biography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-derringer-mn0000301404/biography |website=AllMusic|access-date=April 21, 2017}}
{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael B. |title=AllMusic Review of The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-edgar-winter-group-with-rick-derringer-mw0000584920 |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 21, 2017}}

In 1973, Derringer released his first solo album, All American Boy,{{cite web |last1=Koda |first1=Cub |title=AllMusic Review of All-American Boy |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-american-boy-mw0000199224 |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 21, 2017}} which featured his hit song "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo". By then, the song had already appeared on the albums Johnny Winter And (1970) and Roadwork (1972). Derringer's version reached the Top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming his highest-charting single.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/365024/rick-derringer/chart |title=Rick Derringer – Chart history {{!}} Billboard |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 4, 2017}} But despite the single's success, All American Boy was not a successful album.{{cite web|url=https://guitarsexchange.com/en/unplugged/1110/rick-derringer-all-american-boy-1973/|title=Rick Derringer:All American Boy (1973)|first=Sergio|last=Ariga|publisher=Guitar Exchange|access-date=May 28, 2025}} One critic called it a "sadly neglected album of great merit".{{Cite web|url=http://www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/2016/03/graded-on-a-curve-rick-derringer-all-american-boy/|title=Graded on a Curve: Rick Derringer, All American Boy|first=Michael H.|last=Little|date=March 16, 2016|website=The Vinyl District}}

Derringer's later albums, both solo and with his band Derringer, included 1977's Sweet Evil, co-written with Cynthia Weil and Rolling Thunder Revue author Larry Sloman.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-evil-mw0000857063|title=Sweet Evil – Rick Derringer |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 10, 2019}}
{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/if-i-werent-so-romantic-id-shoot-you-mw0000857494|title=If I Weren't So Romantic, I'd Shoot You – Rick Derringer |website=AllMusic|access-date=September 10, 2019}} He also released the critically acclaimed album Guitars and Women (1979), which was re-released with liner notes by Razor & Tie in 1998.

Around this time, Derringer played guitar on two Steely Dan tracks: "Show Biz Kids" on Countdown to Ecstasy (1973) and "Chain Lightning" on Katy Lied (1975). Derringer is credited with having helped Donald Fagen secure a record deal in 1972.{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/more-rock-n-roll-than-hoochie-koo/article_f2d46ac5-0139-5a1b-a986-03eb64c54982.html|title=More rock 'n' roll than hoochie koo|author=Tom Conway|newspaper=The Herald Palladium}}

During this period, Derringer collaborated with his neighbor Todd Rundgren, playing on four of Rundgren's solo albums. He was also a regular in Andy Warhol's circle{{Cite web|url=https://www.thatericalper.com/johnny-winter-rick-derringer-edgar-winter-andy-warhol-ted-nugent-and-truman-capote/|title=Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Andy Warhol, Ted Nugent, and Truman Capote|website=Thatericalper.com|date=August 16, 2015 |access-date=November 14, 2019}} and frequently visited Warhol's studio, The Factory.{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/cuepoint/so-you-want-to-be-a-rock-and-roll-star-e5b836118fcc |title=Neil Ratner Rock Doc – My Offbeat Rock & Roll Journey |publisher=Cuepoint |date=October 24, 2014}}

= 1980s and 1990s =

Derringer played guitar on "My Rival" from Steely Dan's Gaucho (1980) and also contributed to Fagen's first solo album, The Nightfly (1982). In 1983, he played guitar on two hit power ballads written and produced by Jim Steinman: Air Supply's "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" and Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Derringer said his guitar solo in "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" was his favorite of all the solos he had recorded.{{cite web |url=http://www.1055triplem.com/blogs/jonathan-kitty/making-love-out-nothing-all-worlds-worst-ipod |title=Making Love Out of Nothing At All: World's Worst iPod |date=May 25, 2016 |website=1055triplem.com |access-date=April 16, 2018}} That same year, he recorded guitar parts for Meat Loaf's poorly received album Midnight at the Lost and Found. Both "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" were originally offered to Meat Loaf by Steinman for that album, but Meat Loaf's record company refused to pay Steinman for the compositions.{{cite web |url=https://earofnewt.com/2014/08/09/rick-derringer-recalls-his-days-with-edgar-winter-and-ronnie-montrose/ |title=Guitar legend Rick Derringer soloed for everyone from Alice Cooper to Air Supply |date=August 10, 2014 |website=Ear of Newt |access-date=May 15, 2017}}
{{cite web |url=https://earofnewt.com/2016/09/24/that-time-rick-derringer-told-me-that-one-of-the-favourite-solos-he-ever-played-was-for-air-supply/ |title=That time Rick Derringer told me that one of the favorite solos he ever played was for Air Supply|date=September 25, 2016 |website=Ear of Newt |access-date=May 15, 2017}}

In 1983, Derringer also wrote "Shake Me" for his Good Dirty Fun solo album, accompanied by a video produced by Jake Hooker, the husband of Lorna Luft. Singer Lourett Russell Grant appeared in the video alongside Derringer.

In 1984, Derringer played guitar on Barbra Streisand's cover of Steinman's "Left in the Dark", released as the lead single from her album Emotion.

In 1985, Derringer's friendship with Cyndi Lauper led him and Steinman to collaborate again, with Derringer producing The Wrestling Album (1985) for the World Wrestling Federation, an album consisting mostly of wrestlers' theme songs. He wrote several songs for it, including "Real American",{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-wrestling-album-at-30-the-inside-story-of-a-record-that-started-a-revolution-53620/|title='The Wrestling Album' at 30: How One Record Changed It All|first1=James|last1=Montgomery|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 18, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2019}} co-written with Bernard Kenny. The song was originally used as the theme song for U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda), but soon became Hulk Hogan's theme song after Windham left the World Wrestling Federation in 1985. The song was used by U.S. President Barack Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, where he played it while unveiling his birth certificate.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/30/white-house-correspondents-dinner-2011_n_855926.html |title=White House Correspondents Dinner: Obama Takes On Trump, Birthers, The Media, And More (VIDEO)|date=May 1, 2011 |work=HuffPost |access-date=May 15, 2017 }}
{{cite web |url=https://lowdownblog.com/2010/01/14/the-history-of-hulk-hogans-entrance-music/ |title=The History of Hulk Hogan's Entrance Music |date=January 15, 2010 |website=Lowdownblog|access-date=April 16, 2018}} It was also used as a campaign song by Hillary Clinton, as a victory song by Newt Gingrich, and in four videos during the campaign of Donald Trump.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/real-american-derringer-let-down/|title='Real American' Writer Says Song Deserved to Be "More Legit" Than Just a Wrestling Theme|first=Ryan|last=Satin|website=Prowrestlingsheet |date=July 4, 2018}}

In 1986, Derringer worked with Meat Loaf again on Blind Before I Stop, co-writing the song "Masculine".

Also in 1986, he played guitar on two songs from Cyndi Lauper's album True Colors, "Calm Inside the Storm" and "The Faraway Nearby". From 1986 to 1992, he served as a guitarist on her tours, comparing her live performances to those of Barbra Streisand by saying, "She's better live than Barbra". He played with Lauper again on her third album, A Night to Remember, which was released in 1989.

In 1987, Meat Loaf appeared on Way Off Broadway, a nationally distributed cable TV show with Derringer as the music director. The show was hosted by Joy Behar. Other guests on the show included Larry Carlton, Robbie Dupree, and Edgar Winter.{{Cite web|url=https://anneleightonmedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/rick-derringer-and-joy-behar-videos.html|title=Anne Leighton: Rick Derringer and Joy Behar Videos!|first=Anne|last=Leighton|website=Anneleightonmedia.blogspot |date=November 6, 2019}}
{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/143205654/|title='Way off Broadway': a search for itself |work=The Advocate-Messenger|location= Danville, Kentucky|date= November 1, 1987|page= 37}}

Also in 1987, Derringer returned to the World Wrestling Federation to produce its second music album, Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II. He co-wrote the theme song for Demolition and also recorded a new version of "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" as a duet with Gene Okerlund.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Wrestling-Album-II-Piledriver/release/3359097|title=Various – The Wrestling Album II: Piledriver|website=Discogs |date=1987 |access-date=December 23, 2019}}

In the 1980s, he produced the Kodomo Band and toured in Asia, including with Edgar Winter, during the 1990 White Light tour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.museumofthegulfcoast.org/edgar-winter|title=Edgar Winter|website=Museum of the Gulf Coast}}

He worked for several New York City-based jingle houses in the 1980s. Derringer produced "Weird Al" Yankovic's debut album, "Weird Al" Yankovic (1983). Between 1983 and 1989, he produced six Yankovic albums, for which he received his only Grammy Award.{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2017/02/16/how-weird-al-eclipsed-almost-every-star-he-ever-parodied/|title=How 'Weird Al' eclipsed (almost) every star he ever parodied|newspaper=Washington Post}} Yankovic expressed openness to working with Derringer again.{{cite web |first=Gus |last=Bernadicou |url=http://www.punkglobe.com/rickandjendaderringerinterview0212.php |title=Rick and Jenda Derringer |website=Punk Globe |date=February 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425230903/http://www.punkglobe.com/rickandjendaderringerinterview0212.php |archive-date=April 25, 2012}}

In 1997, Derringer became an Evangelical Christian.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-02-14-0202140141-story.html|title=DERRINGER BRINGS CHRISTIAN MUSIC TO CHENEY HALL|author=Roger Catlin|website=Courant |date=February 14, 2002 |access-date=November 14, 2019}} Thereafter, he consistently aligned himself with conservative causes in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.rickderringer.com/testimony.html |title=Rick Derringer – Testimony |website=Rickderringer.com |access-date=April 16, 2018}}
{{cite web |url=http://politics.blog.mystatesman.com/2017/06/01/roger-stone-tangos-in-austin-will-anchor-infowars-by-night-may-let-a-flat/ |title=Roger Stone tangos in Austin. Will anchor Infowars by night. May let a flat. – First Reading |website=Politics.blog.mystatesman.com |access-date=April 16, 2018}} Derringer described himself as a "Jesus freak".{{cite web|title=Rick and Jenda Derringer|url=http://www.punkglobe.com/rickandjendaderringerinterview0212.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425230903/http://www.punkglobe.com/rickandjendaderringerinterview0212.php|archive-date=April 25, 2012|access-date=April 16, 2018|website=Punk Globe}}

=2000s and 2010s=

In 2001, Derringer, Tim Bogert, and Carmine Appice released the album Derringer, Bogert & Appice (DBA): Doin' Business as... on the German record label Steamhammer Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sky-is-falling-mw0001787296|title=The Sky Is Falling – Derringer, Bogert & Appice, DBA, Rick Derringer, Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert |website=AllMusic|access-date=December 25, 2019}} Derringer had previously worked with Appice on an album, Party Tested by DNA (Derringer'n'Appice), and it was re-released in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/party-tested-mw0000841673/releases|title=Party Tested – Carmine Appice, Rick Derringer, DNA |website=AllMusic|access-date=December 25, 2019}}

In 2001, Derringer, his wife, and their children released the first two of four Christian music albums, all through Panda Studio Productions:{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091105/News/605232718|title=Moving from biz to show biz|author=WADE TATANGELO|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|access-date=April 14, 2020}} Aiming 4 Heaven (2001),{{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/release/17060340-The-Derringers-Aiming-4-Heaven | title=The Derringers – Aiming 4 Heaven | website=Discogs | date=2001 }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-02-14-0202140141-story.html|title=DERRINGER BRINGS CHRISTIAN MUSIC TO CHENEY HALL|author=ROGER CATLIN |website=Courant.com|date=February 14, 2002 }} Derringer X 2 (2001),{{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/release/23376656-The-Derringers-Derringer-X2 | title=The Derringers – Derringer X2 | website=Discogs | date=2010 }} the holiday album Winter Wonderland (2004),{{cite web | url=http://rickderringer.com/shop/ols/products/winter-wonderland | title=Winter Wonderland|website=Rickderringer.com }} and We Live (2008).{{Cite web|url=http://rickderringer-com.3dcartstores.com/|title=Welcome to Rick Derringer -|website=Rickderringer-com.3dcartstores.com|access-date=April 14, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://myspace.com/thederringerfamily/music/album/the-derringers-we-live-10007233|title=The Derringers: We Live|date=January 1, 2008|website=Myspace.com}} In 2002, Derringer was featured in Dan Muise's book Gallagher, Marriott, Derringer & Trower – Their Lives and Music.{{Cite book |title=Gallagher, Marriott, Derringer, Trower: Their Lives and Music |isbn = 0634029568|last1 = Muise|first1 = Dan|year = 2002| publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}

He released Free Ride Smooth Jazz (2002), which includes his smooth jazz radio hit remake "Jazzy Koo".{{cite web |title=Rick Derringer Biography|url=http://www.rickderringer.com/biography.html |website=Rickderringer.com |access-date=April 11, 2017}}

In May 2009, he self-released the album Knighted by the Blues and its popular song, "Sometimes", co-written with Jenda. Derringer followed up with the release of The Three Kings of the Blues (Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King) on Mike Varney's Blues Bureau International Records.{{Cite web|url=http://www.shrapnelrecords.com/rick-derringer/three-kings-blues|title=The Three Kings Of The Blues |website=Shrapnerecords.com |access-date=November 14, 2019}}

File:20110626 070 All-Starr-Band-in-Paris Rick Derringer WP.jpg in Paris, June 26, 2011]]

Derringer went on three world tours with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. For one rehearsals began in June 2010, and they traveled across Europe, Russia, South America, Mexico, and the USA. The tour featured Wally Palmar, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, Richard Page, and Gregg Bissonette.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/rick-derringer-on-touring-with-ringo-starr-and-his-all-starr-band-462750|title=Rick Derringer on touring with Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band|author=Joe Bosso|website=MusicRadar.com|date=June 16, 2011}}

In 2013, he and Jenda created the Asia Project after she discovered that the two largest-selling songs in history are Chinese. As Ricky Wu and Jenda Tu, the Derringers recorded and released their versions of the songs: Wang Qiwen and Yang Chengang's 2004 song "Mouse Loves Rice"{{Cite web|url=http://www.glenclifford.com/WRIT/MOUSE/w4037709.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711100150/http://www.glenclifford.com/WRIT/MOUSE/w4037709.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2011|title=A Million Dollar Mouse!|date=July 11, 2011}} and the actress Liu Shi Shi's "Season of Waiting".{{Cite web|url=https://lalaladdy.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/bu-bu-jing-xin-ost-song-season-of-waiting-chinese-lyrics-pinyin-lyrics-and-english-translation/|title=Bu Bu Jing Xin OST Song – 'Season of Waiting' |website=Lalaladdy |date=October 10, 2011}}

In 2014, Derringer performed on Peter Frampton's Guitar Circus tour with other notable guitarists, including B.B. King, Roger McGuinn (ex-Byrds), Don Felder (ex-Eagles), Leslie West (ex-Mountain), Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Toto's Steve Lukather, Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready.{{Cite web|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2014/2/16/peter-frampton-schedules-summer-tour-dates-with-doobie-broth.html|title=Peter Frampton Schedules Summer Tour Dates with Doobie Brothers, Buddy Guy |website=ABC News Radio}}

In 2017, Derringer was charged with carrying a loaded gun on a Delta Air Lines flight from Cancún in Mexico to Atlanta, Georgia. According to his manager, Derringer believed he was permitted to carry the gun due to his possession of a valid Florida concealed weapon permit.{{cite news |title=Rock musician Rick Derringer charged with having loaded gun on Delta flight |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/rock-musician-rick-derringer-charged-with-having-loaded-gun-on-delta-flight/2312841/ |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=February 13, 2017}} Derringer later pleaded guilty, agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine.{{cite web |title=Rick Derringer pleads guilty to carrying loaded pistol on plane, in airport |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rick-derringer-pleads-guilty-to-carrying-loaded-pistol-on-plane-in-airport |website=Fox News |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 3, 2017}}

In 2017, Derringer re-recorded Hulk Hogan's theme, "Real American", with updated lyrics. The re-recorded version was released on May 28, 2017. To debut and promote the re-recording, Derringer appeared on Infowars.{{cite web |url=http://californiarocker.com/2017/05/28/rick-derringer-palace-standells/ |title=Exclusive Interview: Rick Derringer Talks Remarkable Career as he Plays Through the Work |website= California Rocker |date=May 28, 2017 |access-date=April 16, 2018}} Changes to the lyrics include "I gotta be a man, I can't let it slide" changed to "I gotta lend a hand, I can't let it slide" and "fight for the right of every man" changed to "fight for the rights of everyone." The lines "Best not mess with my US" and "Ours is a cause that's right and just, we're built on truth, in God we trust" were also added to the second verse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Q-jPTirhU|title=YouTube|website=YouTube|date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715000813/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Q-jPTirhU|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=July 15, 2019}}

In 2017, Derringer collaborated with baseball players Tom Seaver and Gary Redus to release a version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", honoring his lifelong love of baseball.

In 2018, Derringer embarked on a tour with Vanilla Fudge, Mitch Ryder, and Badfinger under the name "HippieFest."{{cite news |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-et-artscal-hippiefest-20180805-story.html |title='HippieFest 2018' to trip down memory lane with Vanilla Fudge, Mitch Ryder, Rick Derringer |date=August 3, 2018 |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=March 30, 2019}}

He performed the guitar solo for an anti-bullying campaign version of "Hang on Sloopy" by the Love Love Kids, released in October 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lovelovekids.com/|title=Love Love Kids – Dayton, NV|website=Lovelovekids.com }}

Personal life

=Marriage=

Derringer married Liz Agriss in 1969.{{Cite magazine |first=Kofi Fosu |last=Forson |url=https://whitehotmagazine.com/articles/in-conversation-with-elizabeth-derringer/2609 |date=August 2012 |title=August 2012: In Conversation with Elizabeth Derringer |magazine=Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art}}

= Politics =

In 2017, Derringer appeared on Alex Jones's Infowars several times. In one of those appearances, political consultant Roger Stone interviewed him about his support for Donald Trump.{{cite web |date=December 7, 2016 |title=Roger Stone Speaks With Rock Icon Rick Derringer About His Support For Donald Trump |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tldBzQ27_sU |access-date=March 18, 2019 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}

= Death =

Derringer died in Ormond Beach, Florida on May 26, 2025, at the age of 77.{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2025 |title=Legendary Rock Guitarist Rick Derringer Dies At 77 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/legendary-rock-guitarist-rick-derringer-dies-at-77 |access-date=May 27, 2025 |website=Blabbermouth.com |language=en}} According to TMZ, Derringer's wife, Jenda Derringer, said he "died peacefully after being taken off life support Monday night following a medical episode"; his caretaker and close friend, Tony Wilson, said Derringer had undergone a triple bypass two months earlier but had been doing well.{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2025 |title='Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo' Legend Dead At 77 |url=https://www.tmz.com/2025/05/27/guitarist-rick-derringer-dead-music-icon |access-date=May 27, 2025 |website=TMZ.com |language=en}}

Discography

=Rick Derringer=

Studio albums

All American Boy (1973) – US No. 25, AUS No. 38{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=88}}
Spring Fever (1975) – US No. 141
Guitars and Women (1979, re-released 1998)
Face to Face (1980)
Good Dirty Fun (1983)
Back to the Blues (1993)
Electra Blues (1994)
Tend the Fire (1997)
Blues Deluxe (1998)
Jackhammer Blues (2000)
Free Ride (2002)
Rockin' American (2007)
Knighted by the Blues (2009)
The Three Kings of the Blues (2010)
High City (2014)

Live albums

Derringer Live (1977)
King Biscuit Flower Hour (1998)
Live in Japan (1998)

Compilation albums

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo: The Best of Rick Derringer (1996)
Collection: The Blues Bureau Years (2006)
Joy Ride: Solo Albums 1973–1980 (2017)
Complete Blue Sky Albums: 1976–1978 (2017)

= Edgar Winter's White Trash =

Edgar Winter's White Trash (1971) – With Johnny Winter
Roadwork (1972)

= Edgar Winter =

Jasmine Nightdreams (1975) – With Johnny Winter

= Johnny and Edgar Winter =

Together: Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter Live (1976)

= Dick Glass Featuring Rick Derringer and the McCoys =

The Glass Derringer (1976)

= With Edgar Winter =

Rick Derringer & Friends (1998)

= With Edgar Winter, [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]], [[Dr. John]], [[Lorna Luft]], [[Hall and Oates]] =

Live at Cheney Hall (2006)
Rock Spectacular: Live at the Ritz 1982 (2010)

= As a member of a band =

= The McCoys =

– Formed in 1965 by Richard Zehringer on guitar and vocals, Dennis Kelly on bass (who would be replaced by Randy Jo Hobbs) and Randy Zehringer on drums.

Hang On Sloopy (1965)
You Make Me Feel So Good (1966)
Infinite McCoys (1968)
Human Ball (1969)

= Johnny Winter And =

Johnny Winter And (1970)
Live Johnny Winter And (1971)

= The Edgar Winter Group =

They Only Come Out at Night (1972) – Epic
Shock Treatment (1974) – Epic
The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer (1975) – Epic
Together: Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter Live (1976) – Blue Sky

– Although this album was published under the name of Johnny Winter, it was recorded when The Edgar Winter Group still existed, and Johnny's band and Edgar's played together on a tour.

The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer – Live in Japan (1990) – Cypress

= Derringer =

; Studio albums :

1976: Derringer
1977: Sweet Evil
1978: If I Weren't So Romantic I'd Shoot You – Dan Hartman plays piano, organ, and rhythm guitar on 6 songs.

; Live albums :

1976: Live in Cleveland
1977: Derringer Live

; Compilation :

1996: Required Rocking – Compilation

= DNA =

(duet with Carmine Appice)

1983: Party Tested

= The Derringers =

Not to be confused with the Derringer group, this band, The Derringers, was a family project bringing together Rick Derringer himself, his wife Brenda Jean, and their two children towards religious music. Four albums were produced under this name:*
2001: Aiming 4 Heaven
2001: Derringer X 2
2004: Winter Wonderland
2008: We Live

= Derringer, Bogert & Appice =

(trio with Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice)*
2001: Doin' Business As...

= Collaborations =

Alarm Clock by Richie Havens (1970) – Guitar
Countdown to Ecstasy by Steely Dan (1973) – Slide guitar on Show Biz Kids
Thomas Jefferson Kaye by Thomas Jefferson Kaye (1973) – Acoustic and electric guitar
Still Alive and Well by Johnny Winter (1973) – Guitar on Cheap Tequila and Still Alive and Well; slide guitar on Silver Train; pedal steel on Ain't Nothing to Me
First Grade by Thomas Jefferson Kaye (1974) – Acoustic, electric, and slide guitar
Katy Lied by Steely Dan (1975) – Solo on Chain Lightning
Images by Dan Hartman (1976) – Rhythm guitar and solo on Thank You for the Good Times
Songs for the New Depression by Bette Midler (1976) – Pedal steel on Let Me Just Follow Behind
Gaucho by Steely Dan (1980) – Guitar on My Rival
Schwartz by Eddie Schwartz (1980) – Guitar
Connections by Richie Havens (1980) – Guitar
The Nightfly by Donald Fagen (1982) – Guitar
Eye to Eye by Eye to Eye (1982) – Guitar
Lick It Up by Kiss (1983) – Guitar solo on Exciter
Faster Than the Speed of Night by Bonnie Tyler (1983) – Guitar
Emotion by Barbra Streisand (1984) – Guitar
Public Life by Eddie Schwartz (1984) – Solo guitar
Come See About Me by Neil Sedaka (1984) – Guitar on Cathy's Clown
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper (1986) – Guitar on Calm Inside the Storm and The Faraway Nearby
Zazu by Rosie Vela (1986) – Guitar
Blind to Reason by Grayson Hugh (1988) – Electric guitar on Romantic Heart, Tears of Love, and Empty as the Wind
A Night to Remember by Cyndi Lauper (1989) – Guitar
A New Day Yesterday by Joe Bonamassa (2000) – Vocals and guitar solo on Nuthin' I Wouldn't Do (For a Woman Like You)
Winter Blues by Edgar Winter (2009) – Rhythm guitar on New Millennium and On the Tip of My Tongue; guitar on White Man's Blues
10x10 by Ronnie Montrose (2017) – Guitar on "Love Is An Art" with Edgar Winter
''Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues by Myles Goodwyn (2018) - guitar solo on "Last Time I'll Ever Sing The Blues"
1000 Hands: Chapter One by Jon Anderson (2019) – Guitar

References

External links

[https://rickderringer.com/ Official website]
[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-derringer-mn0000301404/biography Rick Derringer biography by Bruce Eder, discography and album reviews, credits & releases] at AllMusic
[https://www.discogs.com/artist/168059-Rick-Derringer?limit=500&page=1 Rick Derringer discography, album releases & credits] at Discogs
{{Discogs artist|Derringer (2)|Derringer}} (Rick Derringer's band)
{{IMDb name|0220618}}
[https://open.spotify.com/artist/1FX4aA0cUcWndv39j1YoTm Rick Derringer albums to be listened to] on Spotify
[https://www.youtube.com/user/officialderringer Rick Derringer songs & albums to be listened to] on YouTube

Category:1947 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:20th-century American guitarists

Category:20th-century American male musicians

Category:20th-century evangelicals

Category:21st-century evangelicals

Category:American blues mandolinists

Category:American evangelicals

Category:American male guitarists

Category:American performers of Christian music

Category:American rock guitarists

Category:Blue Sky Records artists

Category:Epic Records artists

Category:Guitarists from Ohio

Category:People from Celina, Ohio

Category:People from Fort Recovery, Ohio

Category:Provogue Records artists

Category:Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band members