Rick Derringer Show our Lord some fancy licks on that hot guitar you played

     Many of you may not know who Rick Derringer was but I'm sure you sung his songs before. "Hang on Sloopy" was one of them. He performed with Edgar Winter in the seventies and worked his guitar magic with the likes of groups "Steely Dan", Todd rundgren, Kiss and wait for it...... Barbra Streisand".

    I met him when my blues band opened up for a show in Lincoln Nebraska, where he was the main act. I remember him walking in looking "war torn" with his then wife and young child of about 4 years old. He was not a real talkative guy but seemed sweet. You could tell this was just another gig to him, and when you've been on the road most of your life you've seen a lot of people and places, so a little dot on the map doesn't seem to mean much. We used to call them "paid practices".

     One of the hazards of Fame can be drug use or alcohol abuse or too much ego. Maybe that was what was happening with Rick. The screaming fans didn't care. All they wanted to do was see a legend playing his hot guitar. Thankfully, drug abuse or alcohol abuse never was my thing. So my mind and eyes were clear to the things I saw. The road is hard enough. The road doesn't necessarily have to be traveling from City to City. It can mean night after night of endless gigs. Night after night, playing the same songs over and over and over. Trying to learn new songs and hope the people accept you, can wear you down. My own band, had to educate people on other types of music than the ones they were used to. Blues doesn't necessarily go over big everywhere. You try to cope and you find peace in the music. That should be your main focus, but for many it is not. Especially for those that get famous. The media can exploit. Media can twist things around. Maybe he did drugs, maybe he drank too much. I don't know that answer. All I know, is that I got to witness greatness on the guitar. Rick Derringer, died at the age of 77 of May 26th. It made all those memories of so long ago comes storming back into my mind with a smile. Remembering he was only 17 when he shot to fame. Hearing and seeing with my own eyes, someone who was given a gift. He is a guitar legend, an editor of music, a pioneer of creative guitar playing, a man. Media can say whatever they want to but only God knows the truth about his personal life. God knew him in all of his triumphs and all of his falls all of his highs and all of his lows. I pray he came to know Jesus before he died. I pray all people may come to know Jesus before they die. This one just happened to be famous. He's in the Justice of God now. 

     Eternal rest go on to your soul Rick Derringer. Show our Lord some fancy licks on that hot guitar you played, and thank Him for the great gift He gave you of music.