Rick Derringer

Richard Dean Zehringer, known to the world as Rick Derringer, was born on August 5, 1947. He emerged as a prominent figure in the music scene during the 1960s, first gaining fame with his band, the McCoys. Their iconic debut single, 'Hang On Sloopy', soared to number one in 1965, solidifying its status as a classic from the garage rock era. The McCoys enjoyed considerable success, with seven songs making it into the top one hundred, including memorable covers like 'Fever' and 'Come On, Let's Go'.

Following the release of his solo album, 'All American Boy', Derringer carved out a successful career as a solo artist. In 1973, he achieved further acclaim with the hit song 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo'. His musical journey was marked by extensive collaborations with the Winter brothers, Edgar and Johnny, where he played both lead and rhythm guitar, and produced their gold and platinum records, including the hits 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride'.

Derringer's versatility as a musician led him to work with a diverse array of artists, including Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and 'Weird Al' Yankovic. He produced Yankovic's Grammy Award-winning tracks 'Eat It' in nineteen eighty-four and 'Fat' in nineteen eighty-eight. Additionally, he contributed to the World Wrestling Federation's musical projects, producing 'The Wrestling Album' in nineteen eighty-five and its sequel, 'Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II' in nineteen eighty-seven, which featured popular entrance themes for wrestling legends.

His influence extended to film as well, with Derringer producing three songs for the soundtrack of the 1984 Tom Hanks comedy, 'Bachelor Party'. Throughout his career, Rick Derringer has left an indelible mark on the music industry, showcasing his talents as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter.