Jump, Jump, Jump

The Zoo Crew is spinning Jump, Jump, Jump by Rick Derringer from his 1973 debut solo album All American Boy, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this jazzy, bluesy track. One piece of trivia about the song is its showcase of Derringer’s guitar prowess, with a standout solo that critics have praised as one of the album’s highlights. In a review on Amazon, a fan noted that Jump, Jump, Jump “really shows what a great guitarist Rick Derringer is & why Johnny & Edgar Winter wanted him in their bands,” highlighting its appeal to blues-rock lovers. The song features Edgar Winter on saxophone, though early album booklets omitted this credit, a detail later corrected in remastered editions. Its falsetto vocals and introspective lyrics, which touch on themes of despair, also set it apart from the album’s more upbeat rockers like Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.

Another interesting tidbit comes from the album’s production at Caribou Ranch in Colorado and The Hit Factory in New York City, where Jump, Jump, Jump was recorded alongside guest artists like Joe Walsh and David Bromberg. According to a Guitar Exchange article, the track serves as a “vehicle for [Derringer’s] six-string prowess,” with its closing solo being the second-best on the album. Fans on Steve Hoffman Music Forums have called it a “jazzy” standout, appreciating its stylistic departure from the album’s rock-heavy tracks. The song’s moody vibe and intricate guitar work have made it a favorite among those who see All American Boy as an underrated gem of ‘70s rock.

Rick Derringer, born Richard Dean Zehringer on August 5, 1947, in Celina, Ohio, kicked off his musical journey at a young age, inspired by his uncle Jim Thornburg, a popular guitarist in Ohio. Derringer recalled in a Wikipedia entry that hearing his uncle play in his parents’ kitchen sparked his desire to learn guitar. By 17, he was fronting The McCoys, a garage rock band he formed in 1965 with his brother Randy Zehringer on drums and bassist Dennis Kelly, later replaced by Randy Jo Hobbs. The McCoys shot to fame with their No. 1 hit Hang On Sloopy, which famously knocked The Beatles’ Yesterday off the top spot. The band’s success led to years of touring and several Top 100 hits, including covers of Fever and Come On Let’s Go.

After The McCoys’ run, Derringer’s career took off in new directions. In 1969, he joined forces with Johnny Winter, forming Johnny Winter And, with “And” referring to The McCoys’ members. Derringer produced all of Johnny Winter’s gold and platinum records and later worked with Edgar Winter’s White Trash and The Edgar Winter Group, contributing to hits like Frankenstein and Free Ride. His solo career began with All American Boy, which featured Jump, Jump, Jump and the iconic Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. Derringer’s versatility as a guitarist, vocalist, and producer also led to collaborations with Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and “Weird Al” Yankovic, producing Grammy-winning tracks like Eat It and Fat.

For more on Rick Derringer, check out his official website at rickderringer.com, where you can find his biography, discography, and digital downloads. Follow him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on tours and releases. Fans can connect on the Rick Derringer Fan Club on Facebook, a group dedicated to sharing news and memories. Another fan hub, Discogs, offers detailed discographies and community reviews, perfect for Zoo Freaks digging into Derringer’s legacy.