The GRAMMY Award winner collaborated with The Edgar Winter Group, Cyndi Lauper, and more
Famed rock guitarist and singer Rick Derringer has died. In addition to his solo success, the GRAMMY-Award winner collaborated with The Edgar Winter Group, Cyndi Lauper, and more. He was 77-years old.
Rick Derringer was born Rick Zehringer on August 5, 1947, in Fort Recovery, Ohio. A guitar prodigy from a young age, Derringer was heavily influenced by early rock ‘n’ roll and blues music. By the time he was a teenager, he had already formed a band with his brother Randy called The McCoys, which became the springboard for his national recognition.
In 1965, The McCoys rocketed to fame with the No. 1 hit single “Hang On Sloopy,” which unseated The Beatles’ “Yesterday” from the top of the Billboard charts. At just 17 years old, Rick was thrust into the national spotlight, becoming one of the youngest musicians to top the pop charts. The McCoys followed up with several other modest hits, but none reached the heights of their breakthrough single.
After The McCoys disbanded in the late 1960s, Derringer reinvented himself as a serious rock guitarist and became a key collaborator with blues-rock legends Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter. He joined Johnny Winter And in 1970 and played on the band’s influential albums, including Johnny Winter And Live. His association with the Winter brothers led him to produce and perform on several classic records, including They Only Come Out at Night by The Edgar Winter Group.
It was with The Edgar Winter Group that Derringer played one of his most memorable guitar solos on the instrumental rock classic “Frankenstein,” which became a No. 1 hit in 1973.
In 1973, Derringer released his debut solo album All American Boy, which featured the anthem “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” Although originally recorded with Johnny Winter, the solo version became a definitive 1970s rock staple and remains Derringer’s signature song. The song showcased his searing guitar work and vocal prowess, cementing his place among the top rock guitarists of the era.
Throughout the 1970s, Derringer toured extensively and released a string of solo albums, including Spring Fever (1975), Guitars and Women (1979), and Face to Face (1980). While his later solo records didn’t reach the commercial heights of All American Boy, they demonstrated his versatility as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Derringer gained recognition not just as a performer but also as a producer and session guitarist. He produced several albums for the Winter brothers and worked with artists such as Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, Todd Rundgren, and Alice Cooper. His guitar work and production were praised for being both technically sophisticated and emotionally resonant.
In the 1980s, Derringer took an unexpected turn by contributing to the music of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). He wrote and performed the entrance theme “Real American,” which became famously associated with wrestler Hulk Hogan. The song became a cultural touchstone of the era, especially among wrestling fans.
Derringer also remained active as a solo artist, releasing albums such as Good Dirty Fun (1983) and Back to the Blues(1993), which reflected his enduring passion for blues-rock.
In the 2000s and beyond, Rick Derringer continued to perform and record, often returning to blues-based music and Christian rock following his conversion to born-again Christianity. He collaborated with artists like Carman and released albums such as Aiming 4 Heaven (2001) and Knighted by the Blues (2009). His versatility enabled him to traverse the musical spectrum—from hard rock and blues to gospel.
Derringer also formed various touring groups under the “Rick Derringer Band” name and collaborated with guitarists like Pat Travers and Leslie West. His continued live performances reinforced his reputation as one of the most dynamic guitarists of his generation.
Rick Derringer has been married to singer-songwriter Jenda Derringer (formerly Jenda Kaye) and has children, including musician Lory Derringer. In recent years, Derringer has occasionally been in the news for his outspoken political and religious views, but his musical contributions remain the central focus of his legacy.
Rick Derringer’s career spans over six decades, marked by both commercial hits and underground acclaim. His work with The McCoys, Johnny and Edgar Winter, and his solo career has influenced generations of guitarists and rock musicians. “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and “Hang On Sloopy” remain classic rock staples, while his guitar work continues to be studied and celebrated by fans and fellow musicians alike.
Whether as a chart-topping teen idol, a blistering blues-rock sideman, or a veteran performer still active in his 70s, Rick Derringer has carved a singular path through the annals of American rock history.