Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DERRINGER, Rick

(b Richard Zehringer, 8 May '47, Fort Recovery OH) Guitarist/producer. Formed first group at 13 in Union City IN with Randy Hobbs on bass, Bobby Peterson keyboards, brother Randy on drums, calling group after Ventures instrumental 'The McCoy'. Producer Bert Berns took teenagers to NYC, cut 'Hang On, Sloopy' for his Bang label; the three-chord nursery-rhyme rocker shot to no. 1; then 'Fever' (no. 7, both '65), 'Come On, Let's Go' '66 before bubble burst ('Sloopy' and 'Fever' nos 5 and 44 in UK on Immediate). After two LPs of pop on Bang to capitalize on hits, group signed to Mercury for psychedelic Infinite McCoys and Human Ball both '68, both prod. by Rick, and played at Steve Paul's Scene club NYC; Paul became manager, linked them with guitarist Johnny Winter; Johnny Winter And '70, Johnny Winter And: Live '71 both prod. by Rick, sold well; changed name to Derringer from first of these. When Johnny stopped touring due to drug problem, switched to brother Edgar Winter, prod. breakthrough They Only Come Out At Night '73, incl. no. 1 USA instrumental 'Frankenstein', and playing with group; also prod. Johnny's comeback album Still Alive And Well '73; worked with both through '70s, on CBS labels, then on Paul's Blue Sky label, where meanwhile own first solo All American Boy '73 flattered to deceive: incl. no. 23 hit single 'Rock And Roll Hootchie Coo', but neither Spring Fever '75 nor any of four hard-rock LPs by group called Derringer cut much ice. In demand behind desk and on sessions: played on albums by Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren, Bette Midler, Donald Fagen, Joe Vitale, others; prod. off-the-wall pop send-ups In 3-D '84 by Weird Al Yankovic (see his entry). Back To The Blues '93 was followed by Tend The Fire '96 on Code Blue, with guests Johnny and Edgar Winter.