Los Angeles, CA —
The rock world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential and enduring guitarists: Rick Derringer, the man behind timeless hits like “Hang On Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” has passed away at the age of 77.
Derringer’s family confirmed his death earlier today through a statement posted on his official website and verified social media accounts. The cause of death was reportedly due to natural causes following a brief illness. He passed away peacefully at his home in Florida, surrounded by loved ones.
🎸 A Guitarist’s Guitarist
Rick Derringer, born Rick Zehringer in 1947 in Fort Recovery, Ohio, was a prodigy from a young age. He rose to prominence as a teenage guitar sensation in the mid-1960s, fronting The McCoys, whose hit “Hang On Sloopy” shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965—dethroning even The Beatles at the time.
From there, Derringer cemented his legacy as a true American rock guitarist, collaborating with giants such as Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Steely Dan, and Alice Cooper. His solo career took off in the 1970s with the release of “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” a song that remains a staple on classic rock stations to this day.
📀 Career Highlights
Over the course of his nearly six-decade career, Derringer:
- Was inducted into the Classic Rock Hall of Fame
- Released over 20 studio albums (solo and with bands)
- Contributed as a session guitarist to legendary albums like Steely Dan’s Katy Lied and Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything?
- Produced albums for the Winter brothers and Weird Al Yankovic
- Earned a Grammy nomination for his work as a producer
But it was his style—soulful, bluesy, yet capable of blistering speed—that made him one of the most respected guitarists in rock.
🎶 “Hang On Sloopy”: A Rock Anthem
Although many associate Derringer with “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” it was his breakout track “Hang On Sloopy” that became an anthem. Not only was it a commercial success, but the song took on a life of its own:
- It became the official rock song of Ohio
- Is still played at every Ohio State University home football game
- Was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
Few songs from the 1960s have endured in such a widespread, cultural way.
💬 The Music Industry Reacts
Tributes have poured in from fans, peers, and institutions alike:
“Rick Derringer was one of the greatest to ever plug in a guitar. His tone, his swagger, and his love for the blues changed music.”
— Joe Bonamassa, guitarist
“I met Rick when I was just a kid opening for Edgar Winter. He took the time to talk to me like I mattered. I never forgot it.”
— John Mayer, musician
“There is no hangin’ on without you, Rick. Rock in peace.”
— Official statement from The McCoys fan club
His passing has also trended on X (formerly Twitter) under hashtags:
- #RickDerringer
- #HangOnSloopy
- #RockAndRollHoochieKoo
- #GuitarLegend
- #RickDerringerDead
🙏 A Private Life and Spiritual Turn
In the later years of his life, Derringer turned towards Christian faith, releasing gospel albums and touring with his wife, Jenda Derringer, as part of a spiritual ministry.
He often described this as a natural evolution:
“I’ve seen what rock and roll can do. Now I want to show what faith can do,” he said in a 2014 interview.
Despite his shift toward religious music, he never distanced himself from his rock roots and continued to perform fan favorites well into his 70s.
📚 Legacy and Influence
Rick Derringer’s name may not be as immediately recognizable as some of his peers, but his fingerprints are everywhere in the history of rock and roll. Guitarists from Eddie Van Halen to Slash have cited him as an influence.
He was also known for his versatility—moving from psychedelic rock to hard rock, blues, and later, gospel. He was both a frontman and a sideman, equally comfortable stealing the spotlight or elevating others.
Few musicians have worn as many hats, and even fewer have worn them well.
🏠 Final Days and Family
Derringer had reportedly been dealing with health issues in recent years but remained active on social media and in the music community. He continued to tour regionally with acoustic sets and intimate storytelling performances, captivating fans even as his body slowed down.
He is survived by:
- Wife: Jenda Derringer
- Children: Lory Derringer and Marty Zehringer
- Siblings: Susan and Robert Zehringer
The family has requested privacy during this time and announced that a public memorial concert will be held in Nashville later this summer.