Musician and producerRick Derringerhas died at the age of 77. Derringer is remembered for his work across a variety of genres. With his band,The McCoys, he recorded the iconic 1960s rock track “Hang On Sloopy,” and he would go on to work with 1980s iconsHulk HoganandWeird Al Yankovic.The Associated Pressreports that Derringer’s death was announced by his caretaker,Tony Wilson; no cause of death was given.
Derringer was bornRichard Zehringeron July 23, 2025, in Celina, Ohio. His parents had an extensive record collection and his uncle,Jim Thornburg, was a popular local guitarist, inspiring Derringer to pursue a career in music. As a teenager, his family moved to Union City, Indiana, where he formed The McCoys. When they were hired to open forThe Strangeloves, they recognized Derringer’s talent, and had him record the new song “Hang On Sloopy.” Although some elements of the song remain obscure (for instance, who the “Sloopy” of the title was, although it is speculated to be jazz singerDorothy Sloop), it was a hit, and has become a garage-band staple. It has long been associated with Ohio State University, and is now the state of Ohio’s official rock song.
What Did Rick Derringer Record After ‘Hang On Sloopy’?
Following the success of “Hang On Sloopy,” Derringer and the McCoys began recording with blues rockerJohnny Winter. In 1973 he released his first solo album,All American Boy, which featured the hit single “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” After collaborating withSteely Dan, Todd Rundgren,andAndy Warhol, Derringer transitioned into becoming a studio musician and producer, having great success in that realm. He played the guitar solos on the hit singles “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” (forAir Supply) and “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (forBonnie Tyler).
His friendship withCyndi Lauperled him to one of his strangest, but most enduring hits: when Lauper began collaborating with theWorld Wrestling Federation, Derringer produced the ensuingThe Wrestling Album. That album featured the Derringer-penned “Real American,” which would become the entrance theme for wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan. He also became the producer for musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic: Derringer produced Yankovic’s first six albums, winning his first and only Grammy for his work on the 1984 song “Eat It.”
Derringer toured with Cyndi Lauper,Ringo Starr, andPeter Frampton, among many others, and leaves a rich musical legacy. We send our condolences to Derringer’s friends and family.
