cousin-brucie-article-rick-derringer
ROCK & ROLL CALL
RICK DERRINGER achieved fame when he was 17 with his band The McCoys. The number one mega-hit “Hang On Sloopy” not only gave Rick and his band quick success, but it also knocked The Beatles “Yesterday” out of the top chart spot that it held for four weeks. Their second single (1965) was a cover of the Peggy Lee hit “Fever” – This record also climbed the charts and hit number 7.
In 1969, he joined Johnny Winter to form “Johnny Winter And,” where he first performed his iconic song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo”. He also collaborated extensively with Edgar Winter, producing the Grammy-nominated hit “Frankenstein” Rick Derringer and wrestling – not quite, however, he did write WWE’s Hulk Hogan’s theme song.
Rick continued to explore and experiment with blues and Christian music. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, he worked with artists like Alice Cooper, Steely Dan, and Cyndi Lauper and produced hits for “Weird Al” Yankovic.
From 2011 to 2014, he toured globally with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.
Over five decades into his career, Rick Derringer remains an influential figure in rock and blues music.
Let’s welcome him to MusicRadio this Saturday 2/8/25. Hang On Sloopy!
CB