Rock guitarist and songwriter Rick Derringer passed away on May 26, 2025, at age 77 at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida. The legendary musician died at 8:09 p.m., surrounded by his wife Jenda Derringer and longtime friend Tony Wilson.
According to reports, Derringer’s heart suddenly gave out after he suffered what his wife described as some sort of shock while preparing for bed Monday night. He was rushed to a local hospital and taken off life support shortly after. Wilson indicated that Derringer had undergone triple bypass surgery two months prior but had been doing well until his sudden passing.
Born Rick Zehringer in Celina, Ohio, in 1947, Derringer achieved early fame at age 17 when his band the McCoys recorded “Hang on Sloopy” in 1965. The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and displaced “Yesterday” by the Beatles at the top of the pop charts. The track has since become Ohio’s official rock song and remains a cultural staple.
In 1973, Derringer released his debut solo album “All American Boy,” featuring his signature hit “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” The song launched him into superstardom and has endured through the decades, appearing on the soundtrack of the 1993 film “Dazed and Confused” and more recently in the fourth season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
Throughout his six-decade career, Derringer collaborated with numerous music icons including Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and Ringo Starr. He produced the Edgar Winter Group’s 1972 number one single “Frankenstein” and played guitar for the band for several years. Derringer also discovered and produced Weird Al Yankovic in the 1980s, working on the comedy musician’s first six albums including the infamous Michael Jackson parody “Eat It.”
The Grammy-winning artist earned recognition beyond rock music for his contributions to professional wrestling. In 1985, he co-wrote and performed Hulk Hogan’s iconic entrance theme “Real American,” which became a cultural phenomenon during the height of Hulkamania. WWE confirmed that Derringer also collaborated with WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart on the theme for legendary tag team Demolition.
Derringer maintained connections to Florida’s Gulf Coast for over two decades. In 2006, he worked as a sales agent for Sarasota’s McKenna and Associates Realty and appeared as a pitchman for Fidelity Investments. He and his wife Jenda, whom he married in 1998, owned nine investment properties throughout Southwest Florida. The couple were born-again Christians who attended various evangelical churches across Sarasota and Manatee counties, where Derringer sometimes performed.
In the 1990s, Derringer helped launch the career of Florida blues guitarist Damon Fowler, producing his 1999 debut album “Riverview Drive.” Fowler later became a national blues star with his 2021 album “Alafia Moon” debuting at number one on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. Fowler noted that Derringer was incredibly prolific and worked across multiple genres as both a performer and producer.
The rock legend continued performing into his later years, playing approximately 30 shows annually and earning between $5,000 and $10,000 per gig. He toured extensively with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band in 2012, performing about 100 shows. Derringer also collaborated with various artists on tribute albums and continued releasing CDs throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
Following news of his death, numerous musicians paid tribute on social media. Yankovic posted on Instagram expressing sadness over the loss of his friend and collaborator. “He had an enormous impact on my life, and will be missed greatly,” Yankovic stated. Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa and former Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi also shared tributes honoring Derringer’s musical contributions.
Derringer is survived by his wife Jenda and one child from his previous marriage to Diane Derringer. His caretaker Wilson emphasized that Derringer’s legacy extends beyond his music, noting his signature energy and talent that entertained fans throughout his career. The musician’s passing leaves a significant void in the rock music world, according to those who knew him personally and professionally.
Sources:
https://www.guitarplayer.com/guitarists/rick-derringer-rip-read-guitar-player-interview
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/rick-derringer-obituary?pid=209153395
https://nypost.com/2025/05/27/entertainment/rick-derringer-rock-and-roll-hoochie-koo-legend-dead-at-77/
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/05/27/rick-derringer-dies-sarasota-bradenton-rocke/83885317007/
https://www.silive.com/news/2025/05/guitarist-and-songwriter-who-played-on-classic-hits-and-penned-pro-wrestling-theme-songs-dead-at-77.html
