 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (December 2017) |
Rick Derringer | |
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.jpg) Derringer performing with Ringo Starr in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Dean Zehringer |
| Born | August 5, 1947 Celina, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Formerly of |
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| Website | rickderringer |
Rick Derringer (born Richard Dean Zehringer; August 5, 1947) is an American musician, producer, and songwriter. He gained success in the 1960s with his band, the McCoys. Their debut single, "Hang on Sloopy", became a number-one hit in 1965 and is now regarded as a classic track from the garage rock era. The McCoys had seven songs chart in the top 100, including covers of "Fever" and "Come on Let's Go".
In 1970, Derringer found further success with his song "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo". He also worked extensively with brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter, playing lead and backing guitar in their bands and producing all of their gold and platinum records, including Edgar Winter's hits "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride" (both in 1973). Derringer has also collaborated with Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and "Weird Al" Yankovic, producing Yankovic's Grammy Award-winning songs "Eat It" (1984) and "Fat" (1988). Additionally, Derringer produced the World Wrestling Federation's album The Wrestling Album (1985) and its follow-up, Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II (1987). These albums featured the entrance song for Hulk Hogan, "Real American", and the theme for the Demolition tag team, "Demolition". Derringer also produced three songs from the soundtrack of the 1984 Tom Hanks film Bachelor Party.