BREAKING NEWS: Rock and Roll Legend Rick Derringer, Known for ‘Hang On Sloopy’ and ‘Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,’ Passes Away at 77

Rock Legend Rick Derringer, Known for “Hang On Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” Dies at 77

CELINA, OH – The music world is in mourning following the passing of Rick Derringer, the iconic American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer, who died on May 26, 2025, at the age of 77. Derringer, born Richard Dean Zehringer in Celina, Ohio, passed away in the AdventHealth ICU in Ormond Beach, Florida, surrounded by his wife, Jenda Derringer, and close friend and caretaker, Tony Wilson. No official cause of death has been disclosed, but Wilson shared the news via a heartfelt Facebook post, noting that Derringer’s “legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent.” His death leaves a profound void in the rock and roll community, where he was celebrated for a career spanning six decades.

Derringer’s rise to fame began at the tender age of 17 when he fronted The McCoys, a garage rock band from Union City, Indiana. In the summer of 1965, their debut single, “Hang On Sloopy,” soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, famously knocking The Beatles’ “Yesterday” from the top spot. Originally titled “My Girl Sloopy,” the song was rebranded at Derringer’s suggestion, and its infectious energy made it a timeless anthem, still played at Ohio State Buckeyes games and cherished as a classic of the era. The McCoys went on to chart seven songs in the Top 100, including covers of “Fever” and “Come On Let’s Go,” establishing Derringer as a prodigious talent.

After four years of touring with The McCoys, Derringer joined forces with blues-rock titan Johnny Winter in 1969, forming Johnny Winter And (the “And” referring to The McCoys). Derringer’s contributions as a guitarist, vocalist, and producer were pivotal, including work on the 1970