Musical icon Rick Derringer, renowned for collaborations with Johnny Winter and Kiss, is no more at 77; his absence felt profoundly in the realm of rock music.
Rock guitarist Rick Derringer, a notable figure in the music industry with hits throughout the 1980s, has passed away at the age of 77. The news was announced on Facebook by his close friend, Tony Wilson.
Wilson's post read, "Legendary musician/entertainer Rick Derringer Received His Wings And Passed On This Memorial Day." Recognized for his signature energy and talent, Derringer's passing leaves a void in the music world, according to Wilson's post. The guitarist passed away at 8:09 PM on May 26th, surrounded by his wife, singer/songwriter Jenda Derringer, and his caretaker and close friend Tony Wilson.
Derringer began his career with the formation of his first band, the McCoys, while in 8th grade. The group achieved a number-one hit with Hang On Sloopy in the early 1960s, a year after the Vibrations' original version, My Girl Sloopy, and even charted higher than The Beatles' Yesterday. In an interview with Guitar Player last year, Derringer reminisced about his success, saying, "Here I was, 17 years old, and I was in a successful band with a hit record, and we were playing all over the world. I was so happy."
Following the McCoys' success, Derringer became the backbone of Johnny Winter's backing group, a position he held while also regularly working with Edgar Winter in the early 1970s. During this period, he penned some of his most famous original tracks, including Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo, which he re-recorded for his 1973 solo debut record.
Throughout his career, Derringer also lent his distinct musical services to some of the biggest artists of his time, contributing to a wide range of hugely influential songs. His work on three Steely Dan records – Countdown to Ecstasy (1973), Katy Lied (1975), and Gaucho (1980) – launched a fruitful period in the 1980s where he worked as an in-demand session musician. He provided lead guitar on two classic Jim Steinman power ballads: Air Supply's Making Love Out of Nothing at All, and Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart.
Derringer was also a key figure in making B.C. Rich's Mockingbird guitar a sought-after 1970s instrument and was one of many talented soloists to guest on Kiss records, famously playing lead on 1983's Lick It Up. Other session gigs saw him work with Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and Joe Bonamassa, who paid tribute to Derringer upon hearing the news of his passing.
[1] Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Derringer#Career[2] Retrieved from https://ultimateclassicrock.com/rick-derringer-dead/[3] Retrieved from https://edgarwinter.net/discography/
Rick Derringer contributed to some notable songs alongside prominent artists, including "Under My Wheels" by Alice Cooper and "Eat It" by "Weird Al" Yankovic. He also made key contributions to Edgar Winter's hits "Free Ride" and "Frankenstein."
[1] Among the many notable songs Rick Derringer contributed to are "Under My Wheels" by Alice Cooper and "Eat It" by "Weird Al" Yankovic.[2] His innovative guitar techniques resonated through Edgar Winter's hits "Free Ride" and "Frankenstein."[3] In the realm of pop-culture, Rick Derringer's guitar skills are remembered in music, entertainment, and even among celebrities, as he played on a Gibson guitar for Kiss's iconic "Lick It Up."[4] Throughout his illustrious career, Rick Derringer's impact on the music industry extends beyond just guitars, influencing pop-culture with his technique, entertainment, and association with influential artists.
