Rick Derringer was a rock and roll artist, whose career spanned six decades. He scored hits in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and then hit it big producing wrestling themes like Hulk Hogan’s “Real American”. He died Monday evening in Ormond Beach, Florida at the age of 77. His caretaker, Tony Wilson, made a post announcing the passing of Derringer. He had been in ill health in recent months.

Derringer was a master of the New York rock scene in the 70s and 80s. In addition to his own music, he was a prolific producer including on the Edgar Winter Group’s 1972 hit “Frankenstein”. He also produced Weird Al Yankovic’s first album and gave Patti Smith her first big break on the song “Jump” from his 1973 debut album.

He was a mainstay of the New York scene, involving not just musicians but other artists like Andy Warhol. One of his most famous compositions is the theme for pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, “Real American”. He was born in Ohio in 1947 and started playing music at the age of nine. His first taste of stardom was as the backing band for Strangeloves on their track “My Girl Sloopy”, later changed to “Hang On Sloopy”. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. His most famous song is from 1972 though. He recorded “Rock And Roll Hootchie Koo” and launched his solo band. He played extensively on records by Steely Dan, KISS, Todd Rundgren, and Barbra Streisand.

His professional relationship with Cyndi Lauper brought him to the world of pro wrestling in the mid-1980s. In his later life, he still toured around with acts like Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, and Carmine Appice.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.

RIP.