10-28-2013, 09:05 PM
Rick Derringer may be a one hit wonder as a solo artist, but he has been with many bands during their hey-day. For example...
At the ripe age of 17, he was the guitarist for the McCoys, and he wrote their only hit song, the 1965 number Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit "Hang On Sloopy", which also just happens to be the official rock song of the state of Ohio (really, folks). But, that didn't last forever. So, he joined a new venture, and came on as a replacement guitarist for Alice Cooper in 1971. However, Rick landed a new gig later that same year, joining the Edgar Winter Group as a permanent member. He played guitar on the band's smash hit "Frankenstein", also a Billboard Hot 100 hit. But, in 1973, he decided to strike it out on his own as a solo artist. He landed another big hit yet again with "Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo", although his buddy Edgar Winter helped him record it. After this, he found himself supporting Todd Rundgren, playing guitar for him on four seperate albums from 1972-1978. Ok, that's enough right? Wrong. He then picked up some guitar work for Steely Dan in the meantime.
Then the 80s rolled around, and he started working with Weird Al Yankovic. He's actually played guitar for almost every Weird Al album ever released.
Yep, he was the guitarist for ALL of those guys. Maybe the hardest working guy in rock and roll history?
At the ripe age of 17, he was the guitarist for the McCoys, and he wrote their only hit song, the 1965 number Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit "Hang On Sloopy", which also just happens to be the official rock song of the state of Ohio (really, folks). But, that didn't last forever. So, he joined a new venture, and came on as a replacement guitarist for Alice Cooper in 1971. However, Rick landed a new gig later that same year, joining the Edgar Winter Group as a permanent member. He played guitar on the band's smash hit "Frankenstein", also a Billboard Hot 100 hit. But, in 1973, he decided to strike it out on his own as a solo artist. He landed another big hit yet again with "Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo", although his buddy Edgar Winter helped him record it. After this, he found himself supporting Todd Rundgren, playing guitar for him on four seperate albums from 1972-1978. Ok, that's enough right? Wrong. He then picked up some guitar work for Steely Dan in the meantime.
Then the 80s rolled around, and he started working with Weird Al Yankovic. He's actually played guitar for almost every Weird Al album ever released.
Yep, he was the guitarist for ALL of those guys. Maybe the hardest working guy in rock and roll history?