I hadn't thought about Rick Derringer in ages. But for most of the 70's I was a huge fan. I was especially fond of "Derringer Live." Then it all came together in 1979, when he got Todd Rundgren to produce his next record.
"Guitars & Women" was Derringer at his poppiest, yet still featured his seemingly impossible guitar playing on almost every track. To my ears, thanks to all backing vocals by Todd and Utopia, "Guitars & Women" might as well have been a Utopia record. I played that record well into the 80's and then, as fate would have it, its first release on compact disc featured my first liner notes.
As I said above, I hadn't thought about Rick Derringer in ages. But yesterday, as I was scrolling through my iPod for "Harvest Uptown," a record by the Soul Syndicate I wanted to hear, "Guitars & Women" caught my eye at the very end of the "G" titles. And so, a few spins later, I listened to "Guitars & Women" for the first time in years, and still, loved every minute.
Derringer passed yesterday after being on life support following a medical episode. So, it was more than strange and still a bit of a shock to read this news today.
13 comments:
All American Boy is one of my favorite all-time albums. The 'Derringer' albums kick mighty ass as well.
This one hurts.
Randy
I agree it is a great listen. Now I have to find the CD for the liner notes.
Rick was one hot guitar player. One of my favorites was Edgar Winter's Keep Playin' That Rock and Roll, with Derringer on guitar. RIP Rick.
I've always been jealous you've done liner notes for albums. Still on my to-do list, though liner notes barely exist anymore!
Let's also remember him for his first band the McCoys who had the huge hit Hang on Sloopy way back in the mid 60's when they were barely teenagers. Then the McCoys pretty much went on to become Johnny Winter's backing band.
J from Europe.
Rick Derringer was Eddie Van Halen before Eddie was--so it was no wonder the two had a falling out! RIP!
Sweet Evil is one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. I caught a Derringer reunion at BB Kings some years back, with that classic lineup- Vinny Appice, Kenny Aaronson and Danny Johnson. They played cuts from those two great albums. There were cameras everywhere. It was being filmed for a DVD release we were told I don't know whatever happened to that. It was a great show.
Always liked this record, especially the two Rick Nielsen songs.
Derringer (the band) was white hot, known to blow the top of the bill bands off the stage. "Beyond the Universe" is an unbelievable track.
Check out his soloing on "Living in the USA" on the White Trash "Roadwork" album.
Also, his brief solo on "It's My Own Fault" on the Johnny Winter And Live LP gets me every time.
Bob in IL
I was a big fan as well and saw him numerous times as a solo act as well as with the Edgar Winter Group. He was always a class act sniff that album that Todd produced is a gem. I was very sad to hear of his passing.
Never heard this album, but, yeah, it does sounds like a lost Utopia album. Thanks for the heads-up on it.
Saw Rick and Edgar Winter in a smallish venue when they toured as a duo in the early 90s--it was a fun show. Rick was also a regular at the annual Dallas International Guitar Festival. I got to meet him there once when attending with my kid and he was friendly, but seemed bit shy. R.I.P.
Sorry to see him pass. Another musician not high enough on most people's list for a wide range of people to notice, but he made his mark.
Sal, I had a similar experience as what you relate in this post. I was with a buddy a week ago, reminiscing about a cable access tv music review show we had here in Atlanta for 5 years, "CD Keepers & Weepers."
On our first show (1998), we reviewed a compilation of Junior Byles songs out then - the great reggae artist.
We chatted about Junior Byles the other day for the first time in ... decades.
Then the next day, I noticed Junior had just passed.
I've had quite a few weird coincidences like that lately.
p.s. you need to publish some of your liner notes here so we can take a peek! I'll bet they're great.
I can tell you now, the Derringer notes were horrible. I don't even have a copy. There are a few that aren't bad. I'll see what is possibly worth posting.
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