Rick Derringer, the iconic guitarist behind classic rock staples like “Hang on Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hootchie Koo,” has passed away at 77. The news was announced by his family on social media without specifying a cause or details.
Born Richard Zehringer in 1947, Derringer rose to fame with The McCoys’ hit song “Hang on Sloopy” in 1968, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He later became an integral part of Edgar Winter’s group, producing hits like “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.” As a solo artist, Derringer released his debut album “All American Boy” in 1973, featuring the catchy tune “Rock and Roll, Hootchie Koo.”
Derringer also played on numerous albums by notable artists, including Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Sedaka. He collaborated with several other famous musicians before passing away.
In addition to his musical career, Derringer worked extensively as a session guitarist and producer. He produced six albums for “Weird” Al Yankovic between 1982-1990, earning the parody king two Grammy Awards.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/05/rick-derringer-dead-hang-on-sloopy-rock-and-roll-hootchie-koo-1236411779