Guitar legend Rick Derringer, a man who wrote music that became the soundtrack to 1970s rock and roll, passed away this week at the age of 77. Not only did the man write some truly amazing pieces of music, he was also a big fan of President Donald Trump and a diehard American patriot.
Jenda Derringer, Rick’s wife, confirmed his passing, saying that his heart simply gave up following a medical episode. He died “peacefully” in his sleep after he received treatment that proved unsuccessful. On Monday evening, Derringer was taken off life support.
The guitar hero died at the local hospital in Ormond Beach, Florida, according to close friend and caretaker, Tony Wilson, revealed.
“We thought we had years left but God’s timing is perfect,” Jenda said in comments given to tabloid publication TMZ.
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Wilson told the outlet that Derringer had undergone triple bypass surgery two months earlier, and those around him thought the guitarist to be doing well. Unexpectedly, Derringer’s health quickly deteriorated after he tried to lie down, Wilson went on, saying his friend reached for a pillow and went into some kind of shock.
Jendra credited her late husband for being “so positive and peaceful” in the face of his troubled health later in life.
Born Aug. 5, 1947, Derringer rose to prominence on the back of “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” his 1973 hit single that became an anthem on rock radio stations for most of the decade. Prior to his breakout solo act, he served as frontman for The McCoys, who struck gold with the 1965 number-one hit “Hang on Sloopy.”
During his lengthy career, Derringer worked with a number of major acts, such as KISS, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Steely Dan, Cindy Lauper, and many others as well.
His patriotic grooves on “Real American” cultivated repeated use by both Republican and Democratic politicians at their rallies, including Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Derringer also became a commodity in the world of professional wrestling after signing with Hulk Hogan to provide his entrance music at each show.
Later on in life, Derringer surrendered his life to Christ and quickly became a celebrity contributor for conservative causes.
Tributes from fellow musicians poured out across social media on Wednesday.
“Rest in Peace my friend. It was an honor to know you, work with you and call you a friend,” guitarist Joe Bonamassa said, while posting a photograph of himself on stage with Derringer.
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