Rick Derringer, the pioneering guitarist, frontman of the influential, proto-garage-rock act the McCoys, and a Grammy-winning producer for Weird Al Yankovic, has died at 77.

Derringer, born Rick Zehringer, co-founded The McCoys with his brother, drummer Randy Zehringer, in their native Ohio in 1962, and they played alongside bass player Dennis Kelly.

Born in Ohio, Rick skyrocketed to fame as the lead singer of The McCoys when his band's song “Hang On Sloopy" landed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.

Rick Derringer death: Classic rock guitarist of ‘Hang On Sloopy’ fame dies aged 77 - Derringer was just 17 when his band The McCoys recorded ‘Hang On Sloopy’ ...

Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer, who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded “Hang On Sloopy,” had a hit with “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and earned a Grammy Award for ...

Rick Derringer, whose six-decade career spanned teen stardom as lead singer of the ‘60s smash "Hang on Sloopy," a ‘70s solo hit with "Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo," session work with artists ...

Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer, who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded "Hang On Sloopy," had a hit with "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" and earned a Grammy Award for producing ...

Born in Ohio, Rick skyrocketed to fame as the lead singer of The McCoys when his band's song “Hang On Sloopy" landed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.

Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer has died. The musician who shot to fame at 17 when his band The McCoys recorded “Hang On Sloopy” died Monday in Ormond Beach, Florida.