Prior to treading into Hard Rock territory guitarist / vocalist Rick Derringer (real name Richard Zehringer) had made his vinyl debut with a 1965 single 'You Know That I Love You' with his RICK Z COMBO before creating the Pop chart act THE McCOYS as well as playing in the enigmatic Blues guitarist JOHNNY WINTER's band. Derringer even played on the OSMOND BROTHERS' 'Flower Music' single in 1967! A stint with the EDGAR WINTER BAND followed, including production credits for the 1973 album 'They Only Come Out At Night'.

Rick Derringer's debut solo release 'All American Boy' in 1973 featured such notable guests as JOE WALSH, David Bromberg, EDGAR WINTER, bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummers Bobby Caldwell (of CAPTAIN BEYOND) and Joe Vitale of CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG. The album made an immediate impact and the single 'Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo' gave Derringer a useful American hit single.

Both Winter and Caldwell were retained for the ensuing 'Spring Fever'. Once more Derringer pulled in some illustrious guests, including guitarist JOHNNY WINTER. Bass for 'Spring Fever' was supplied by Johnny Siegler.

Attempting to get another chart hit DERRINGER re-recorded THE McCOYS old Pop success 'Hang On Sloopy'. Released as a single, it barely scraped into the American top 100.

By 1976 Derringer had assembled a stable band line-up (billed as DERRINGER) comprising of former BLACKFOOT guitarist DANNY JOHNSON, ex DUST and STORIES bassist Kenny Aaronson and drummer Vinny Appice.

This line up lasted through to 1977's ' Live' album after which both Johnson and Appice made a break to create a new act AXIS with vocalist / bassist Jay Davis. Johnson was to emerge later in ALCATRAZZ, PRIVATE LIFE and STEPPENWOLF whilst Appice joined BLACK SABBATH, BRUZER and DIO.

The replacement for the drum stool to record the 1978 album 'If I Weren't So Romantic I'd Shoot You' was Myron Grombacher. Session guitar was on hand from Mark Cunningham.

However, following the 'Guitars And Women' album Grombacher departed to join PAT BENATAR's band (teaming up with former Derringer associate, guitarist Neil Geraldo) making way for James Wilcox. Aaronson also left the fold (later recording with H.S.A.S. and BILLY SQUIER, amongst others) and his position was taken by Donnie Kisselbach, later to join ALICE COOPER.

Although the 1983 album 'Good Dirty Fun' was well received, by the end of the year Derringer had formed D.N.A. together with ex-VANILLA FUDGE and CACTUS drummer CARMINE APPICE (brother of ex-DERRINGER drummer Vinnie), bassist Jimmy Johnson and keyboard player Duane Hitchings. Despite the pedigree, D.N.A. released the 'Party Tested' album to a somewhat indifferent response.

After D.N.A., Rick spent 1986 as a guitarist in CYNDI LAUPER's touring band (later co-writing and playing on her 'True Colours' album) and, aside from session and production work, appeared inactive as an artist until 1993's 'Back To The Blues' album.

As a session player, Rick Derringer has been employed by many major names in his time. He can boast credits with ALICE COOPER, STEELY DAN, MEAT LOAF, KISS, believed to have contributed to their monumental 'Destroyer' album as well as 'Lick It Up', DANNY SPANOS, JAMES HOUSE, BARBRA STREISAND and TODD RUNDGREN.

As a producer, Derringer handled the Glam outfit MADAM X 1983 outing 'We Reserve The Right', WEIRD AL YANKOVICH and BONNIE TYLER. Rick also produced demos for the Atlantic signed SAVATAGE during 1983. Derringer also has a number of movie soundtrack appearances to his credit, including 'Bachelor Party', 'Streets Of Fire', 'Beaches', 'Tough On Me Tough On You' and 'UHF'.

Derringer was still on the road touring the American club circuit throughout the summer of 1998. In 1999 Kimball would donate guest vocals to the EDGAR WINTER album 'Winter Blues'. Derringer worked with the esteemed VANILLA FUDGE rhythm section of bassist TIM BOGERT and drummer CARMINE APPICE in the summer of 2000 on the D.B.A. credited album 'Doin' Business As...'.

The guitarist would announce a series of UK dates during 2002 package billed with another veteran six stringer of high repute, ROBIN TROWER.

In response to the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, Derringer organised a February 2005 Orlando, Florida show for the 'Musicians 4 Disaster Relief' fund, seeing the guitarist sharing the stage with AC/DC's Brian Johnson, LOVERBOY, TWISTED SISTER, MARK FARNER, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS' Dickey Betts and CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen, would be recorded live and sold just after the gig as numbered collector's set for $25 each.