Famed musician Rick Derringer has died.
The 77-year-old’s passing was announced by his caretaker, Tony Wilson, and followed by multiple outlets.
He was born Richard Dean Zehringer and gained fame both as a guitarist and a producer, including working on “Weird” Al Yankovic’s first album.
His legacy within professional wrestling will always be tied to his “Real American” theme that became the anthem for Hulk Hogan during the WWF’s national expansion. The song was initially crafted for The U.S. Express of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham before being moved to become Hogan’s theme.
Derringer came on board to assist in the production of WWF’s “The Wrestling Album in 1985. The release included “Grab Them Cakes” by the Junkyard Dog, “Eat Your Heart Out, Rick Springfield” by Jimmy Hart, “Tutti Frutti” by Gene Okerlund, and “Cara Mia” by Nikolai Volkoff.
Derringer was listed as a producer of the album alongside David Wolff, Jim Steinman, and Mona Flambe.
Derringer returned in 1987 to co-produce “Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II” featuring his theme for Demolition, and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” with Derringer & Okerlund.
