RIP ….. Rock Icon Rick Derringer Dead at 77

“We just sadly heard that Rick Derringer has passed. We did many many shows with Rick back in the 70’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family & friends. RIP Rick.”
— Foghat

— Sad news for Rock N’ Roll today as we report on the passing of legendary guitarist, singer and song-writer Rick Derringer.

It was reported that Derringer had some health issues and had surgery back on March 11th via his official Facebook.

Roughly a month later on April 17th a message from Derringer on social media wrote: “We’re all feeling great.”

Today The Landis Theater based in Vineland New Jersey shared the following: “Rick appeared on our Live @ The Landis podcast last Tuesday and the owner spoke to him via FaceTime Saturday night. This comes as a shock. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

The band Foghat also shared the following message on their official Facebook this morning: “We just sadly heard that Rick Derringer has passed. We did many many shows with Rick back in the 70’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family & friends. RIP Rick.”

Derringer first made an impact in 1965 with his band The McCoys and their hit single “Hang On Sloopy.”

By 1973 Derringer had went solo releasing his debut which spawned the hit “Rock N’ Roll Hoochie Koo” reaching #23 on the Hot Billboard 100.

In 1983, Derringer played guitar on two massive hit power ballads Air Supply‘s “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” and Bonnie Tyler‘s “Total Eclipse of the Heart“.

The iconic guitarist also contributed a solo on the KISS song “Exciter” off their 1983 release “Lick It Up.”

Derringer‘s career covered 6 decades and work with; Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Weird Al, Cyndi Lauper, and Barbra Streisand among others.