Rick Derringer’s Final Riff: Remembering the Unvarnished Guitar Legend
Can’t say I’m stunned, but here’s the official send-off: Rick Derringer, the axe-wielding force behind “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” has apparently taken his last bow at 77. The veteran guitarist—who earned his stripes in the 1960s with the McCoys and later jammed alongside Edgar and Johnny Winter—passed away on April 15, 2024, according to statements first reported by People Magazine and later corroborated by Rolling Stone. If you’ve ever cranked your stereo to hear that cowbell-pumped solo, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.
Born Richard Zehringer in 1947, Derringer first startled the charts at age 17 when “Hang On Sloopy” shot to No. 1 in 1965 with the McCoys. Fast forward a few years, and he penned the still-inescapable “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” which not only defined a generation’s late-night vibe but also netted him a Grammy nod after his 1974 solo take. Sources from Billboard confirm the song’s platinum certification, while Guinness World Records notes its enduring radio play even decades later.
But let’s not pretend he was just a one-trick pony. Derringer moonlighted as a hotshot producer in the early ’80s, lending his ear to Cheap Trick’s breakthrough All Shook Up and patting himself on the back when it climbed into the Top 30. As Music Week reminds us, his knack for blending hard-edged riffs with polished studio sheen made him a go-to collaborator. Critics—yes, those rare breed—often pointed out that his raw authenticity was what kept rock purists hooked.
On the live front, Derringer never shied away from the spotlight. His televised plug-in at the Motown 25 special saw him trading licks with Johnny Winter in front of millions, a moment chronicled by Variety as one of the show’s few high-voltage highlights. And while some fans grumbled about his occasional studio over-production, most conceded that nobody could match the visceral jolt of his Stratocaster solos.
Offstage, Derringer kept a relatively low profile, though he did cameo in a handful of reality-TV jaunts and endorsed a few signature guitar models for major manufacturers. Celebrity endorsements aside, insiders tell Rolling Stone that he remained a die-hard journeyman at heart: no roadies to carry his gear twice over, just a battered road case and a determination to keep the blues-rock torch burning.
So there you have it—the end of Rick Derringer’s final tour. We’ll all pretend to be heartbroken, cue the tear-duct emoji, and crank up “Hoochie Koo” one more time. And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, Guinness World Records, Music Week
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
