Is it me or was/is Rick Derringer a very underrated guitarist?

Musicman · Jul 18, 2015

Elliot Easton said:
The band "Derringer" that he had in the late '70's-80's was one of the best live acts of the time. I'm talking about the lineup w/ Danny Johnson, Kenny Aaronson and Myron Grombacher. Incredible band.

I agree 110%! :yah

purplebeast · Jul 27, 2015

Rick was my first "guitar hero" as a teenager. The first barre chords I learned were to "Rock 'n' Roll, Hoochie Koo". Before I really knew about Beck, Page or Clapton, Rick was my guitar hero. Maybe not underrated, but definitely unappreciated.

CPM55 · Aug 1, 2015

purplebeast said:
Rick was my first "guitar hero" as a teenager. The first barre chords I learned were to "Rock 'n' Roll, Hoochie Koo". Before I really knew about Beck, Page or Clapton, Rick was my guitar hero. Maybe not underrated, but definitely unappreciated.

I think you likely captured closer to what I was trying to say...'under appreciated'. But overall, based on this thread, I stand correctly corrected!

Richard Russell · Oct 17, 2016

Rick Derringer was and is an incredible guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer.
I met him a couple times. He is a little guy but jeez his live album in the 70's.
His band Derringer was the first band i ever saw perform live. He opened for
Aerosmith at Madison Square Garden. WOW

66SuperTremMKIV · Oct 17, 2016

Great player , very well respected.

marshall1987 · Oct 17, 2016

I don't recall if anyone posted this YouTube video of a Derringer concert from 1977.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X-21aFumRY8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nitebob · Oct 17, 2016

marshall1987 said:
I don't recall if anyone posted this YouTube video of a Derringer concert from 1977.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X-21aFumRY8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thats Mark Cunningham playing guitarwith Rick in the 77 video

nitebob

67blackcherry · Oct 18, 2016

?)Re: Is it me or was/is Rick Derringer a very underrated guitarist?

My one & only time seeing Rick - NAMM, 1985, he's the headliner at the Kramer aftershow - Edward Van Halen joins him; they're both back by the drums, Rick is showing Ed the chord progression to Rock 'n Roll, Hoochie Coo while Dennis Berardi(?), President of Kramer, is telling the audience to calm the EFF down and move back from the stage or else Ed isn't going to play.
It was at the Anaheim Hilton, one of the smaller ballrooms; my friend and I were no more than 5-6' from the stage.
They both tore it up that night, Rick was in fine form and definitely held his own.

the deep end · Oct 25, 2016

One of my all time favorites! He was favorite of my Dad of all things. I Saw him live in the early 80's, mostly played a BC Rich. Tore it up! He is definitely underrated. RNR Hoochie Koo I think is the perfect rock song!

djd100 · Oct 25, 2016

I was there, great band Johnny Winter AND! :yah

I remember them both having a stack of Twin Reverbs, 6 each in a pyramid shape (it was LOUD LOL!)!

Killer show, and don't forget Rick produced the best selling Johnny and Edger Winter releases.

http://yeech.altervista.org/Band/winter_band_rick_derringer.html

RAB said:
I saw Rick with Johnny Winter And in San Francisco circa 1971. He was playing a very nice Sunburst Les Paul, can't recall the amp setup. During the set he exclaimed " think I'll dance for awhile!" and proceeded to drop the guitar to the stage...I like Rick's playing. My main complaint is his tone tends to be muddy and heavy with effects, especially flanging. He also put Dimarzio Super Distortion humbuckers in his original Burst and Explorer and that was, shall we say, a "no-no!" :biggrin:

Gibsongt · Oct 26, 2016

I have seen him many times in New England. He was fantastic at every show. One of my favorites!

jtees4 · Oct 26, 2016

I saw him open for Kansas in NYC back in 1976. A friend asked me if I wanted to go see Kansas free because she had tickets and I had a car. I hemmed and hawed until she said RD was opening. Well....alrighty then...being a big Johnny Winter fan I was quite happy to go see him. He blew me away that night. Very simple set up, just two Marshall stacks, bass player had one stack...and the drummer. So simple, and so amazingly great. I don't know if he always was that great, but that show has not been topped and that's quite a few years ago. And Kansas was good too, even though I had no interest in seeing them really. I got to talk to him a few years ago at a guitar show, was very nice in person. I've heard stories he wasn't always like that, but I would have to say the same for all my heroes.

Midnight Blues · Nov 5, 2016

He certainly wasn't underrated in the '70s. He was highly respected within the guitar playing community. I was lucky enough to see him in the '70s with Edgar. I think I might even have his autograph? Anyway, I think it's kind of an "out of sight, out of mind" kind of thing with him, but as far as I'm concerned, he's still a phenomenal player.

Cliff Gress · Nov 5, 2016

jbzoso2002 · Nov 5, 2016

My very 1st concert ever was Chicago fest 1977?? and was Rick Derringer warming
up for Journey.

Rick D smoked, as a young teenager I was blown away, had great seats too.

I vaguely remember a guitar solo with smoke coming out of the guitar or the stage
where he was wailing.:dude:

Jimmy

Ed Driscoll · Nov 6, 2016

If you watch that video a sufficient number of times, the McCoys slowly become visible.

I think. :laugh2:

Tom Wittrock · Nov 6, 2016

Didn't Neil Geraldo play with Rick for a while, before he joined up with Pat Benatar? :hmm

ZZ Not · Nov 6, 2016

Tom Wittrock said:
Didn't Neil Geraldo play with Rick for a while, before he joined up with Pat Benatar? :hmm

Yes, Derringer's 1979 Guitars and Women.

jalevinemd · Nov 6, 2016

Tom Wittrock said:
Didn't Neil Geraldo play with Rick for a while, before he joined up with Pat Benatar? :hmm

Another very underrated guitarist. :salude

bbjonz · Nov 7, 2016

Elliot Easton said:
Slide on "Showbiz Kids" is, I think, all he played on. He's certainly not underrated by me. The band "Derringer" that he had in the late '70's-80's was one of the best live acts of the time. I'm talking about the lineup w/ Danny Johnson, Kenny Aaronson and Myron Grombacher. Incredible band.

Also on "My Rival" from the Gaucho album. Good, funky player. I thought he played guitar on "Free Ride" and "Frankenstein" but found out recently in was Ronnie Montrose. Still, here's a vid of Ricky D playing Frankenstein with EW from 1973.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8f-Qb-bwlU

Is it me or was/is Rick Derringer a very underrated guitarist?

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