DERRINGER – The Complete Blue Sky Albums 1976-1978 [HNE 5-CD Box Set remastered]

Rick Derringer first found fame aged just 17 in 1965, when his band The McCoys had a number one hit in America with ‘Hang On Sloopy’, famously knocking The Beatles’ ‘Yesterday’ off the top spot. Subsequently making significant appearances with Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter, as well as Steely Dan and Alice Cooper, and even squeezing in a solo hit with 1973’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll, Hoochie Koo’, before deciding to put together his own band in 1976.
Naming the band DERRINGER, the singer and guitarist was joined future Black Sabbath & Dio drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Kenny Aaronson, with the quartet completed by guitarist Danny Johnson.
Going for a rockier, harder, less poppy sound than Rick’s previous musical excursions, Derringer signed to Blue Sky Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records, in 1976.
The band released 5 album for the label, with a couple produced by Jack Douglas (Aerosmith) and Mike Chapman to obtain a more commercial edge akin Mountain and Van Halen.
Remastered by Cherry Red / HNE into a 5xCD box, ”The Complete Blue Sky Albums 1976-1978” compiles all DERRINGER albums from that era, including the rare, promo only “Live In Cleveland” LP, for the first time officially released here.

When the debut LP “Derriger” was released, the band had yet to perform live together. They nevertheless set out on the road forging a formidable live reputation, playing shows with the cream of 70s rock, giving Journey, Tom Petty, Boston, Foghat and Peter Frampton a run for their money.

Derringer put out second effort “Sweet Evil” in 1977. Although the “Derringer” debut was produced by Rick himself, Jack Douglas, famed for his work with Aerosmith, was enlisted for this 1977 follow up looking for a more radio ready sound.

As it was felt that the band didn’t quite capture their onstage fire in the studio, the release of a live album in 1977, simply titled “Derringer Live”, made perfect sense. It was also to be the final recording from the original quartet, as the band slimmed down to a three piece in 1978.

With future Pat Benatar drummer Myron Grombacher coming in to join Aaronson & Derringer for the more contemporary sound on 1978’s “If I Weren’t So Romantic, I’d Shoot You”, Derringer’s final album was produced by Mike Chapman, famed for his work with Blondie, Sweet and Suzi Quatro, among many others.

This five CD set also features the rare, promo only “Live In Cleveland” album, designed to promote the band to radio in 1976, which includes an onstage version of ‘Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo’ as well as a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’.
This superb collection is completed with rare single versions for ‘Let Me In’, ‘Don’t Stop Loving Me’ and the Warren Zevon song ‘Lawyers, Guns And Money’.

There’s mega power and energy emitting from the speakers when this band play, and this quality quintet of recordings capture their essence perfectly.
Rick is now 69, still active as a musician and producer, was part of Ringo Starr’s 11th All-Starr Band, has won several Grammy awards, and a quirky factoid about him; Rick penned the entrance songs for Hulk Hogan and Demolition as part of the WWF wrestling circus. In 2007, he legally changed his name from (Ricky Dean) Zehringer to Derringer.
Great rock n’ roll folks… Highly Recommended

Disc One: Derringer (1976)
01 – Let Me In
02 – You Can Have Me
03 – Loosen Your Grip
04 – Envy
05 – Comes a Woman
06 – Sailor
07 – Beyond the Universe
08 – Goodbye Again
09 – Let Me In (Mono Version) [bonus]

Disc 2: Live In Cleveland (1976)
01 – Let Me In [Live – Demonstration Promo]
02 – Teenage Love Affair [Live – Demonstration Promo]
03 – Sailor [Live – Demonstration Promo]
04 – Beyond The Universa [Live – Demonstration Promo]
05 – Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo [Live – Demonstration Promo]
06 – Roll With Me [Live – Demonstration Promo]
07 – Rebel Rebel [Live – Demonstration Promo]

Disc Three: Sweet Evil (1977)
01 – Don’t Stop Loving Me
02 – Sittin’ By the Pool
03 – Keep On Makin’ Love
04 – One Eyed Jack
05 – Let’s Make It
06 – Sweet Evil
07 – Drivin’ Sideways
08 – I Didn’t Ask to Be Born
09 – Don’t Stop Loving Me (Mono Version) (Bonus)

Disc Four: Derringer Live (1977)
01 – Let Me In (Live)
02 – Teenage Love Affair (Live)
03 – Sailor (Live)
04 – Beyond The Universe (Live)
05 – Sittin’ By The Pool (Live)
06 – Uncomplicated (Live)
07 – Still Alive and Well (Live)
08 – Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo (Live)

Disc Five: If I Weren’t So Romantic, I’d Shoot You (1978)
01 – It Ain’t Funny
02 – Midnight Road
03 – If I Weren’t so Romantic, I’d Shoot You
04 – EZ Action
05 – Lawyers, Guns and Money
06 – Power of Love
07 – Sleepless
08 – Tonight
09 – Rocka Rolla
10 – Attitude
11 – Monomania
12 – Lawyers, Guns and Money (Mono) [Bonus]

Rick Derringer – vocals, guitar
Kenny Aaronson – bass
Vinny Appice – drums
Danny Johnson – guitar
Myron Grombacher – drums

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