Guitar hero and rock ‘n’ roll legend Rick Derringer , of “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” and "Hang On, Sloopy" fame, has died in Ormond Beach, according to reports on TMZ and other outlets.

The former Sarasota-Manatee resident was 77.

Derringer’s wife, Jenda, told TMZ that the rock icon died "peacefully" after being taken off life support Monday night following a medical episode.

His caretaker and close friend, Tony Wilson, reported on the TMZ website that Derringer had undergone triple bypass surgery just two months ago, but had been doing well.

That changed on Monday night, Wilson told the website, when Derringer went into something that Wilson described as “some sort of shock” as he prepared for bed. He died at an undisclosed hospital, according to the family.

It’s unclear wheth

See Full Page