Classic rock guitarist and singer Rick Derringer has reportedly died at the age of 77.
Derringer’s longtime friend and caretaker, Tony Wilson, shared the news via Facebook. The guitarist was surrounded by his wife, Jenda, and Wilson when he passed on May 26 in Ormond Beach, Florida.
No cause of death has been given, though an official Facebook page for Derringer and his wife had detailed several health issues in recent months, including an ankle bypass.
Derringer shot to fame at age 17 when his band The McCoys recorded “Hang On Sloopy.†The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.
After four years touring with The McCoys, Derringer joined Johnny Winter in 1969, forming Johnny Winter And. Derringer later joined Edgar Winter’s White Trash full-time, and released the EP Roadwork.
Derringer released a solo album, All American Boy, in 1973, which featured the hit song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo†as a single.
Later in his career, Derringer lent his talents to the albums of Alice Cooper, Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and Kiss, among others.
Derringer also discovered Weird Al Yankovic, producing music for his albums and videos like the Michael Jackson parodies “Eat It†and “Who’s Fat.†Derringer’s sole Grammy Award came from his work producing Yankovic’s albums.
​
Rick Derringer death: Classic rock guitarist of ‘Hang On Sloopy’ fame dies aged 77​
Derringer’s longtime friend and caretaker, Tony Wilson, shared the news via Facebook. The guitarist was surrounded by his wife, Jenda, and Wilson when he passed on May 26 in Ormond Beach, Florida.
No cause of death has been given, though an official Facebook page for Derringer and his wife had detailed several health issues in recent months, including an ankle bypass.
Derringer shot to fame at age 17 when his band The McCoys recorded “Hang On Sloopy.†The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.
After four years touring with The McCoys, Derringer joined Johnny Winter in 1969, forming Johnny Winter And. Derringer later joined Edgar Winter’s White Trash full-time, and released the EP Roadwork.
Derringer released a solo album, All American Boy, in 1973, which featured the hit song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo†as a single.
Later in his career, Derringer lent his talents to the albums of Alice Cooper, Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and Kiss, among others.
Derringer also discovered Weird Al Yankovic, producing music for his albums and videos like the Michael Jackson parodies “Eat It†and “Who’s Fat.†Derringer’s sole Grammy Award came from his work producing Yankovic’s albums.
​
Rick Derringer death: Classic rock guitarist of ‘Hang On Sloopy’ fame dies aged 77​