Friday, February 17, 2012

The #84 Guitarist of the Rock Era: Rick Derringer

I don't think people realized in the 70's how good this guy was.  But over the years, he's gotten the respect and in fact, made himself a better player too:
#84:  Rick Derringer, the McCoys, the Edgar Winter Group, Solo
48 years as an active guitarist

 
Richard Zehringer was born August 5, 1947.  He started the band the McCoys, who scored a #1 hit when Rick was 17 years old.  Since then, he's stayed active; in fact Rick is one of the most experienced of The Top 100 Guitarists*.



When Rick was 17, his group the McCoys recorded "Hang On Sloopy", which became a #1 song.  He adopted the stage name of Derringer after the Bang Records logo which featured a derringer pistol.  The group got a tremendous break when they were chosen to open for the Rolling Stones on their entire 1966 American tour.  

Derringer played the guitar solo on "Under My Wheels" for the Alice Cooper album Killer in 1971.  He was also featured on several Todd Rundgren albums in the 1970's.  Derringer joined the Edgar Winter Group for a brief time in the early 1970's.  Derringer had the solo hit "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" in 1974. Derringer opened for Led Zeppelin on their final tour before the tragic death of John Bonham.  He also recorded with Steely Dan on several of their albums.


 Derringer began producing in the 1980's, playing guitar and mandolin and producing "Weird Al" Yankovic and others.  That's Derringer's guitar solo on the Weird Al song "Eat It", paying homage to Eddie Van Halen's solo on the Michael Jackson song "Beat It".  In 1983, Rick played the solo on "Exciter" on the Kiss album Lick It Up.  

In 1990, Derringer reunited with Edgar Winter for the album Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer Live in Japan. Edgar returned the favor, playing for Rick on his album Winter Blues in 1999.  Derringer recorded four blues albums beginning in 1993 which were well-received.

Rick on the Ringo Starr tour...


Derringer, who likes to delve into many different styles, released a jazz album called Free Ride Smooth Jazz in 2002 which also did well.  Along with wife Brenda, her eight year-old son Marn and Rick's nine year-old daughter Loving, the family recorded the gospel rock album We Live in 2008.  In 2009, Derringer released his latest album Knighted by the Blues.  He spent the summer of 2010 touring with Ringo Starr's 11th All-Starr Band along with longtime friend Edgar Winter.


He's got the speed, the melody, the knowledge of his guitar, the experience and the showmanship.  Rick Derringer...#84 for All-Time...

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