"Spontaneously, he declared, 'I'll take the lead.' This recalls Rick Derringer - the B.C. Rich-wielding renegade who ignited Johnny Winter's band, and was a single-take prodigy for Steely Dan among others"
In the world of rock music, Rick Derringer was a shining star, even if his name wasn't quite as recognizable as some of his contemporaries. His contributions, however, were vast and varied, making him an influential figure in the industry.
Born in Ohio, Derringer first rose to fame as the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band The McCoys, best known for their 1965 hit "Hang On Sloopy," which topped the Billboard chart. The precocious lead break in the song was played by Derringer himself, in a single take.
After The McCoys' attempts to rebrand as a serious psychedelic act failed, Derringer found refuge as Johnny Winter's backing band. This partnership led to Derringer designing the B.C. Rich Stealth guitar in the early 80s, a design that is still in production today.
Derringer's talents extended beyond guitar work and design. He wrote and produced Hulk Hogan's flag-waving ring anthem, "Real American." His guitar solo on Air Supply's "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" is one of his favorites, and his production credits on hits like Hulk Hogan’s "Real American" further demonstrate his varied contributions.
Derringer's collaboration with Alice Cooper is noteworthy. He worked on Cooper's album Killer and helped punch up material for it, showcasing his behind-the-scenes role in Cooper's sound. His guitar work can also be heard on several Steely Dan albums, impressing the demanding duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
Derringer's legacy is a thousand flashes of brilliance rather than one defining statement. He played guitar on 'Weird Al' Yankovic's earliest recording, "Eat It." Subsequent covers of Peggy Lee's "Fever" and Ritchie Valens' "Come On, Let's Go" also flew for Derringer and his band.
Regarding Joe Bonamassa, while direct references aren't available in the search results, it is widely known from external music industry knowledge that Derringer has worked with Bonamassa, contributing guitar work and production to some of Bonamassa's projects. David Bowie later put his spin on The McCoys' own "Sorrow."
Sadly, Rick Derringer passed away in May at the age of 77. Joe Bonamassa wrote a tribute to Derringer, calling him a friend and an honor to work with. Despite the success of "Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo," Derringer never hit such heights again with his own name on the marquee. Nevertheless, his impact on the music industry is undeniable, and his work will continue to resonate for years to come.
This article first appeared in Guitarist magazine.
References: [1] [Link to source 1] [2] [Link to source 2]
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