Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Rock veteran Rick Derringer is still performing and producing across the musical spectrum. He comes to town this weekend.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 5, 2000
Rick Derringer has been part of the American rock music scene since its infancy, and he is still plugging in and rocking out today.
His first band, the McCoys, recorded the catchy Hang On Sloopy in 1965. The song earned him a shot at stardom, and, guitar in hand, Derringer is still riding the wave.
In 1969 he began his long association with Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter. The Winter brothers helped Derringer develop his performing and recording techniques, which led to platinum albums and Grammy awards.
As a member of Edgar Winter's band White Trash, his song Rock 'n' Roll, Hoochie Coo was released. The guitar-churning rocker remains a classic nearly 30 years after its release.
The '70s found Derringer guesting on various albums with Alice Cooper, Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren and Steely Dan.
"And don't forget KISS," Derringer said in an interview from his Sarasota home.
Derringer's list of studio work, either as a record producer or musician, is mind-boggling.
Not many people have worked with Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, KISS and funnyman Weird Al Yankovic. Derringer won a Grammy as producer on Weird Al's album Eat It and a second one for producing a Weird Al video. Derringer also penned I Am A Real American for the World Wrestling Federation.
But Derringer loves nothing more than performing live with his power trio, the Rick Derringer Band.
"We kind of do the whole repertoire," he said. "From Hang On Sloopy to Still Alive and Well, Rock 'N' Roll, Hoochie Coo, and we throw in the current stuff."
Derringer, 53, is a family man with a fiancee and a couple of kids.
"They love it," he said of his children's reaction to having a rock star for a daddy.
He is trying to get U.S. record labels interested in a blues CD, Tend the Fire, which he said sold well in Europe, and he is recording Christian music.
"It's hard for a secular artist to get accepted in sacred music," he said, "so what I plan to do is introduce the Christian music to our fans."
WHAT: Rock 'n the Garden rock and blues festival
WHERE: Rock Crusher Canyon Garden Pavilion, 275 S Rock Crusher Road, Crystal River. In Citrus, call 795-1313; toll-free, call (877) 722-2696.
WHEN: Starts at 5 p.m. tonight; Saturday from 10 a.m. until about midnight.
WHO: Today -- Bushounds at 5:30 p.m. and Artimus Pyle Band at 9 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 10 a.m. for motorcycle show, music begins at 5 p.m. with N2Deep, Keith Caton and the Accelerators at 7 and Rick Derringer at 9.
TICKETS: $5 for tonight only. $15 for two-day tickets.