Rick Derringer, singer of Hulk Hogan’s ‘Real American,’ passes away at 77
Rick Derringer, the singer behind Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” and several other WWE theme songs, has died.
The 77-year-old’s death was announced by friends via social media on Tuesday.
Derringer’s association with wrestling dates back to the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling era of the 1980s. He was friends with Cyndi Lauper, whose rivalry with Captain Lou Albano and later Roddy Piper played a key role in the buildup to the first WrestleMania.
Rick Derringer dies at 77 pic.twitter.com/Vzdor0zqqx
— Legends Of Classic Rock (@lofcr1) May 27, 2025
In 1985, Derringer and David Wolff produced The Wrestling Album, which included Hogan’s “Real American,” Junkyard Dog’s “Grab Them Cakes,” and Hillbilly Jim’s “Don’t Go Messin’ with a Country Boy.”
In 1987, Derringer returned to produce Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II. He and Wolff were joined by Jim Johnston on the album, which featured Demolition’s theme song, Honky Tonk Man’s theme, Slick’s “Jive Soul Bro,” and a rendition of “Stand Back” performed by Vince McMahon.
Derringer did not return for WrestleMania: The Album in 1993.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.