The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Guitar Great Rick Derringer Dies At 77

**Posted by RadioActive** May 27, 2025 4:03 pm

He became a teen star as a member of The McCoys with "Hang On Sloopy," a song that still gets played on oldies stations today. He later had a solo hit with "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo."

Rick Derringer was also an in demand studio musician, who played behind the scenes on a slew of Top 40 hits, like Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors."

And that's not all. The bio page on his website lists a slew of other collaborations. "Throughout the ’70s and ’80s the popular Derringer appeared on numerous albums with artists Alice Cooper, Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren and Steely Dan. The list also includes...Barbra Streisand, Kiss, Mason Ruffner and Madam X. "

Lesser known was his work for producing - of all people - Weird Al Yankovic, for which he won his only Grammy.

He was 77.

Rick Derringer, who had a hit with ‘Hang On Sloopy’ and produced ‘Weird Al,’ dies at 77

**Posted by Walter** May 27, 2025 5:53 pm

One of the 2 albums I ever bought, unheard, based solely on the cover. Loved his silver gloves playing the guitar on 'All American Boy'. The other was 'The Joker' by Steve Miller. Loved the mask (Long before KISS). Both turned out to be classics.

**Posted by RadioActive** May 27, 2025 6:15 pm

The cover:

**Posted by Buzzy Krumhunger** May 27, 2025 7:06 pm

One of my fondest memories of a weekend trip to Cleveland for the RR Hall of Fame and an Indians’ game was the 8th inning playing of the Official Rock and Roll Song of Ohio, “Hang On Sloopy”. Everyone’s up for that one spelling out O H I O.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECCOiqc3SyE

The Ohio State Buckeyes Marching Band also do a credible job at halftime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFTEIpFGVlU

**Posted by Paul Jeffries** May 27, 2025 8:57 pm

As mentioned in the article, Rick Derringer played guitar on Air Supply's "Making Love Out of Nothing At All". Interesting to note too, he also played guitar on the track that kept that hit out of the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100: Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart", which also featured most of the same musicians and singers on the Air Supply hit. And coincidentally, both songs were written by Jim Steinman.

PJ

Last edited by Paul Jeffries (May 27, 2025 8:59 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** May 28, 2025 7:16 am

I was never a big fan of "Hang On Sloopy" but really loved the flipside of the 45, an otherwise obscure song called "I Can't Explain It." A wonderful bit of Top 40 doggerel that few have heard - and more should.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** May 28, 2025 7:41 am

Newsman Jeremy Logan of AM740 reported on this at length yesterday afternoon and mentioned many of Derringer’s achievements. I had no idea how accomplished he was, right down to him producing 6 of Weird Al Yankovic’s albums. R.I.P. Mr. Derringer.