Mourning a Giant

Image copyright Getty Images Ed Perlstein

On May 26th, 2025, guitarists lost a legend with the passing of Rick Derringer. Coming on in the 1960s with the McCoys and the hit Hang on Sloopy, Rick Derringer went on to play fronting his own band, with Steely Dan, with Edgar Winter and numerous other luminaries. For guitarists of a certain vintage, Derringer was all about straight forward rock and roll. I remember seeing Rick and his band open for Boston in Toronto. I felt bad for Boston, now knowing at the time that there was no band at all when the record was made, because while they played a solid set, they followed Derringer who was the opening act. To be generous, Derringer blew Maple Leaf Gardens apart. Energy, enthusiasm, volume and musical articulation from all the band members made it a show that I remember to this day. I chose the image above because it reminds me of that Rick Derringer, a potent fireball of a player who played rock but brought so much more to his playing. That BC Rich Mockingbird was always the “Derringer guitar” to mean and it still is, even though my own was built from parts.

For those looking to remember, or those who never knew, hunt down a copy of “Derringer LIVE!” It is a reference for what a live show was in the 1970s.

My thoughts are with Jenda and his friends and family.