Entertainment & Arts

RIP Rick Derringer, a musical icon. Do you know who he was?

https://variety.com/2025/music/news/rick-derringer-hang-on-sloopy-real-american-writer-dead-1236411000/

Rick Derringer, whose six-decade career began with teen stardom as lead singer of the ‘60s smash “Hang on Sloopy,” has died at the age of 78 after several years of heart problems.

A fiery and remarkably versatile guitarist, a strong singer and a high-profile presence on New York’s rock scene of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Derringer also produced the Edgar Winter Group’s 1972 smash single “Frankenstein”, had a hit with "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo", and served as the band’s guitarist for several years; worked closely with Edgar Winter’s brother, Johnny, as a guitarist and producer; produced “Weird” Al Yankovic’s first album; and even gave Patti Smith her first major credit, on the song “Jump” from Derringer’s 1973 debut solo album, “All-American Boy.”

Throughout the 1970s and ‘80s Derringer also worked extensively as a session musician, playing on albums by Steely Dan (including “Countdown to Ecstasy,” “Katy Lied” and “Gaucho”), Todd Rundgren, Alice Cooper, and Kiss. In the early 1980s he soloed on two massive singles written by Meatloaf mastermind Jim Steinman: Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and Air Supply’s “Making Love Out of Nothing at All.”

In the mid-1980s he began working with singer Cyndi Lauper, touring in her band and playing on three of her albums (including the hit “True Colors”).

In 1985, he produced the World Wrestling Federation’s “The Wrestling Album,” which consisted primarily mostly of pro wrestlers’ theme songs, many of which he co-wrote. Most notable among these was Hulk Hogan’s theme song “Real American,” which was used by President Barack Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as a campaign song by Hillary Clinton; and, inevitably, frequently by President Donald Trump.

Here he is with Edgar Winter in 1973.

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I saw Rick with the Edgar Winter band in the '70s.
RIP Rick Derringer, a musical icon. Do you know who he was?
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