Rick Derringer, who had a No. 1 hit with The McCoys in “Hang on Sloopy,” created a classic rock staple in “Rock and Roll, Hootchie Koo” years later and played guitar on the Edgar Winter Group’s hits “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride,” died Monday. He was 77.
A family spokesman announced the news on social media, but did not provide a cause or other details. His wife and longtime bandmate, Jenda Derringer, noted in February that her husband had angioplasty for two blockages in his leg that was followed by surgery and complications. She also said he had Type 2 diabetes.
Born Richard Zehringer on August 5, 1947, in Celina, Ohio, Derringer was 17 when his band The McCoys opened for The Strangeloves, who picked the young group to record its song “My Girl Sloopy.” Derringer had the title and lyrics changed, and “Hang on Sloopy” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early October. The Strangeloves provided the music, and Derringer and company did the singing.
The McCoys followed up with the Top 10 cover of “Fever,” and the group’s eponymous debut LP reached No. 44 on the Billboard album chart. But ensuing singles and albums failed to catch fire, and the group split in 1969.
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