Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Rock and Roll star Rick Derringer, who's work forever changed the culture of professional wrestling, passed away last night, it was announced by his friend and caretaker Tony Wilson via Wilson's Facebook page. Derringer was 77 years old.
In the pro wrestling space, Derringer will be forever remembered as songwriter of Hulk Hogan's instantly classic theme song Real American, which was actually originally brought to WWF with the idea of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham, The U.S. Express in mind. Instead, the song was attached to Hogan for all eternity and has to be seen as one of the most patriotic songs ever, still getting regular play at sports games. Real American was released as part of The Wrestling Album, which Derringer produced in 1985. It is often incorrectly stated that Derringer sang the song, but it was actually his co-writer Bernard Kenny on lead vocals.
In 2021, Derringer told Mel Magazine, "My writing partner Bernard Kenny and I sat down one night in 1984, and we had the idea to write the most patriotic song of all time. We were really proud Americans, and we wanted to express that in the song. So that was the whole objective behind it when we sat down — a few hours later, the song “Real American” was born. After it was written, we actually played it, and it brought us to tears. We knew we had done such a good job, and it was destined to be a hit."
The song became so entrenched in American culture that politicians Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton used it at different points.
Derringer also penned the Demolition theme for WWE's Piledriver album and performed alongside Gene Okerlund in a cover of Derringer's own song Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo on that album, which Derringer Produced as well.
Derringer was the Producer on Edgar Winter's instrumental hit Frankenstein, which was later used by The Heavenly Bodies in Smoky Mountain Wrestling and ECW's 911.
PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Rick Derringer.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
