
Rick Derringer (born Richard Dean Zehringer on August 5, 1947, in Fort Recovery, Ohio) was an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer. His career spanned more than five decades, and he's best known for his hit song "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo", as well as collaborations with The McCoys, Johnny and Edgar Winter, and later work as a producer and Christian artist.
Early Life and the McCoys
Rick Derringer began performing music at a young age. In the early 1960s, he formed a band called The McCoys with his brother Randy Zehringer and other local musicians.
- 1965: At just 17, Derringer (still using his birth name) and the McCoys had a No. 1 hit with "Hang On Sloopy."
- The band opened for major acts like the Rolling Stones and toured widely.
- Over time, the McCoys moved away from pop and toward a harder blues-rock style.
Collaboration with the Winter Brothers
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Derringer became closely associated with Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter.
- He joined Johnny Winter And, playing lead guitar and contributing to landmark albums like "Johnny Winter And Live" (1971).
- Derringer also produced and played with The Edgar Winter Group, including on the hit albums "They Only Come Out at Night" (1972) and "Shock Treatment" (1974).
- He produced "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride", two of Edgar Winter’s biggest hits.
Solo Career
- 1973: Released his first solo album, All American Boy, featuring the enduring rock anthem "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo."
- The song became his signature hit, reaching the U.S. Top 40 and earning regular radio play ever since.
- Derringer continued to release solo albums through the 1970s and 1980s, including Spring Fever (1975) and Guitars and Women (1979), the latter produced by Todd Rundgren.
1980s and Production Work
- Derringer became a successful studio musician and producer, working with Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and Weird Al Yankovic, for whom he produced several albums including "Eat It" and "Fat."
- He also contributed to TV and movie soundtracks and continued touring.
Christian Conversion and Later Career
- In the late 1990s, Derringer became a born-again Christian, and his musical focus shifted accordingly.
- He began releasing Christian rock albums such as Derringer Xpress and We Live.
- Despite the shift, he continued to perform his classic rock hits and participate in nostalgia tours.
Controversies and Later Years
- Derringer has been involved in some legal and financial troubles, including tax issues and a 2017 arrest for carrying a loaded gun on a commercial flight, though he claimed he misunderstood the law.
- He has remained active musically into the 2020s, occasionally releasing new material and touring.
Death
- Derringer passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 77. He died at Advent Health ICU in Ormond Beach, Florida, surrounded by his loving wife, Jenda Derringer, and close family.
Legacy
- Though not a household name like some of his contemporaries, Derringer has had a substantial influence in rock history as a guitar virtuoso, songwriter, and producer.
- "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" remains a staple of classic rock radio and film soundtracks.
- His work with artists like the Winter brothers and his behind-the-scenes contributions have made him a respected figure in the music industry.