Legendary rock guitarist and producer Rick Derringer has died at the age of 77.
His wife confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ.
According to Genda Derringer, Rick passed away “peacefully” on May 26 after life support was removed following a “medical episode.”
Rick’s close friend, Tony Wilson, later announced the news on social media.
With a music career spanning over six decades, Richard Derringer was a talented performer, lyricist, and producer.
He gained fame as the leader of the band The McCoys in the 1960s.
Their debut single in 1965, “Hang On Sloopy,” topped the charts and is recognized as a garage rock classic.
The McCoys disbanded in 1969, having produced several hits like “Fever” and “Hang On, Come On.”
Rick released his first solo album “All American Boy” in 1973, featuring his most popular solo track, “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.”
He contributed to numerous Steely Dan classics, including “Show Biz Kids,” “Chain Lightning,” and “My Rival.”
Additionally, he played guitar on two of Cindy Lauper’s solo albums, “True Colors” and “A Night To Remember,” and performed with her touring band.
In 1971, he was featured on Alice Cooper’s album “Killer.”
In 1983, he played guitar on two iconic ballads: Air Supply’s “Making Love Out of Nothing At All” and Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart.”
The following year, he also appeared on Barbra Streisand’s “Left in the Dark.”
Throughout the 1980s, Derringer produced the first six albums for “Weird Al” Yankovic, including the Grammy-winning Michael Jackson parody “Eat It.”
In 1985, he co-produced and penned several songs for WWE’s (formerly WWF) first compilation album, The Wrestling Album, including the title track “Real American” for superstar Hulk Hogan.
Continuing his impressive solo career, he participated in three world tours with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band during the 2010s, touring across Europe, Russia, South America, Mexico, and the U.S.
In 2014, he joined Peter Frampton’s Guitar Circus tour alongside B.B. King, Don Felder, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, and others.
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