Rick Derringer, the legendary guitarist, singer, and producer, has passed away at the age of 77.
Foghat confirmed the news. They posted the following:
“We just sadly heard that Rick Derringer has passed. We did many many shows with Rick back in the 70’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family & friends. RIP Rick.”
Born Richard Dean Zehringer on August 5, 1947, in Celina, Ohio, Derringer’s musical journey began in the 1960s with his band, The McCoys. Their debut single, “Hang On Sloopy,” became a number-one hit in 1965 and remains a classic of the garage rock era.
Derringer’s solo career took off in the 1970s with the release of “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” a song that became a staple of classic rock radio. Beyond his solo work, he collaborated extensively with brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter, contributing to their gold and platinum records, including Edgar Winter’s hits “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.”
One of Derringer’s most enduring contributions to pop culture is the song “Real American,” which he co-wrote and performed.
Originally released in 1985 as part of the World Wrestling Federation’s album “The Wrestling Album,” the song became famously associated with 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, serving as his entrance theme and symbolizing the era’s wrestling boom. It became one of the most famous wrestling theme songs of all time.
It should be noted that “Real American” was originally used in the WWF by The U.S. Express, Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham.
Derringer also created Demolition’s WWF theme song:
Throughout his career, Derringer showcased his versatility by working with a diverse range of artists, including Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. His production work on Yankovic’s Grammy-winning songs “Eat It” and “Fat” further showing his wide-ranging talent in the music industry.
Rick Derringer’s influence spanned decades, genres, and generations. His contributions to rock music and pop culture have left an indelible mark, and he will be remembered as a true American music icon.
R.I.P
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