Rock and roll lost one of its most versatile and enduring talents when guitarist Rick Derringer passed away on May 26, 2025, at age 77 in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Derringer’s longtime friend and caretaker Tony Wilson confirmed the musician’s death in a Facebook announcement on May 27, stating that Derringer died at 8:09 p.m. at AdventHealth ICU surrounded by his wife Jenda Derringer, and Wilson. According to TMZ reports, Jenda Derringer revealed her husband died peacefully after being taken off life support following a medical episode.

The cause of Derringer’s sudden decline was cardiac failure. Wilson told TMZ that the guitarist had undergone triple bypass surgery just two months earlier in March but had been recovering well. Wilson explained that Derringer seemed fine over the weekend, but on Monday evening, as he was preparing for bed and reaching for his favorite pillow, he went into shock and was rushed to the hospital.

Born Richard Dean Zehringer on August 5, 1947, in Celina, Ohio, and raised in nearby Fort Recovery, Derringer began his musical journey when he received his first guitar on his ninth birthday. “I was a natural,” Derringer told Guitar Player magazine in 2024.

In the early 1960s, Derringer formed The McCoys with his brother Randy Zehringer (later known as Randy Z), handling guitar and lead vocals. The band achieved massive success in 1965 when their cover of “Hang On Sloopy” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning The Beatles’ “Yesterday” from the top spot. The song became Ohio’s official rock anthem in 1985 and remains a staple at Cleveland Guardians, Browns, and Cavaliers games.

After The McCoys disbanded, Derringer launched his solo career with the 1973 album “All American Boy,” featuring his biggest solo hit “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” The song, which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, became a classic rock radio staple and was featured in the fourth season of “Stranger Things.”

Derringer originally wrote and recorded the song while working with blues guitarist Johnny Winter, who taught him slide guitar techniques. Winter indicated that Derringer’s role was to make the music more commercial and rock-oriented, blending Winter’s blues influences with Derringer’s pop sensibilities.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Derringer became one of rock’s most sought-after session musicians and producers. He worked extensively with Edgar Winter’s band, producing hits like “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride” from the 1972 album “They Only Come Out at Night.” His guitar work appeared on albums by Steely Dan, including “Countdown to Ecstasy,” “Katy Lied,” and “Gaucho.”

Derringer also contributed to recordings by Barbra Streisand, Todd Rundgren, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, and Cyndi Lauper. His guitar solo on Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart” became one of his most recognizable contributions to popular music.

One of Derringer’s most significant professional relationships was with parody musician “Weird Al” Yankovic. Derringer produced Yankovic’s first six albums from 1983 to 1989, including his self-titled debut, “Weird Al” Yankovic in 3-D, “Dare to Be Stupid,” “Polka Party!,” “Even Worse,” and the “UHF” soundtrack.

Derringer produced Yankovic’s “Eat It,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” which won the Grammy for Best Comedy Recording in 1985. He also played the pyrotechnic guitar solo on the track, echoing Eddie Van Halen’s playing on the original. However, Derringer later expressed mixed feelings about the collaboration, saying that while he loved working with Yankovic, the association led him to be pigeonholed as a novelty producer.

Beyond traditional rock music, Derringer co-wrote and performed “Real American,” the iconic entrance theme for WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan. The song, released as part of “The Wrestling Album” in 1985, became one of the most recognizable wrestling themes in history. Derringer told Rolling Stone in 2015 that when he and his writing partner finished the song, they actually cried because they felt they had written the most patriotic song of all time.

The theme was later used as campaign music by political figures including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and President Donald Trump. Derringer also co-wrote the theme song for the WWE tag team Demolition.

Derringer’s career slowed in the 1990s, but he became a born-again Christian near the end of the decade and released several Christian music albums with his family in the 2000s. He toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band from 2010 to 2011 and participated in Peter Frampton’s 2013 Guitar Circus alongside B.B. King, Don Felder, Leslie West, and Steve Lukather.

In recent months, Derringer faced several health challenges. The Washington Post reported that he had diabetes and had been in declining health since his February triple bypass surgery.

Following news of Derringer’s death, tributes poured in from across the music industry. Yankovic posted on Instagram, expressing his sadness and noting that Derringer had an enormous impact on his life. Guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa wrote on social media that it was an honor to know, work with, and call Derringer a friend.

Legendary drummer Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath fame, who played in Derringer’s band in 1976, shared a lengthy tribute describing Derringer as his mentor and teacher. Appice emphasized that Derringer taught him about recording, playing clubs and arenas, and being a seasoned professional.

Former Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi called Derringer a brilliant guitarist, producer, and songwriter who always amazed audiences with his guitar work. Alice Cooper group bassist Dennis Dunaway recalled meeting Derringer during the group’s first New York City gig and praised his trail-blazing talent.

Wilson’s Facebook statement captured the sentiment of many in the music world: Wilson indicated that Derringer’s legacy extends beyond his music, as he entertained fans with his signature energy and talent throughout his six-decade career. Wilson noted that Derringer’s passing leaves a void in the music world and that he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones.

Derringer is survived by his wife Jenda, with whom he frequently collaborated on musical projects in his later years.