WNS Home
WNS on X WNS on BlueSky WNS on Discord WNS on Facecbook WNS on Instagram WNS on Threads WNS on Google News Navigate up
RSS Feed

Rick Derringer, Iconic Voice Behind “Real American” and Demolition Themes, Dies

Posted By: James Walsh on May 27, 2025

Terrible news for fans of classic rock and pro wrestling. Rick Derringer has died. 

Rick Derringer was the musician responsible for putting together the theme song "Real American" for the original WWF The Wrestling Album in 1985. The song was intended for Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham but was ultimately used by Hulk Hogan. Derringer returned for the WWF Piledriver album in 1988 doing the Demolition theme song and a re-recording of his Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo hit from the 70's that featured a music video on the VHS release that featured Rick rocking out in front of a high school class and a reserved female teacher who ends up shaking her stuff dancing on top of the teachers desk by the end.

The music video for "Real American" was played often on MTV during the mid 1980's and even was subject to the Beavis and Butthead treatment in the mid 1990's. 

Hulk Hogan has taken "Real American" and made it his business. He recently announced that "Real American Freestyle Wrestling" is on the way and that the "Real American" brand is attempting to acquire Hooters. 

Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi brought this news to my attention on Facebook. 

Your Rating –/10
Average: 0.0 / 10
Total votes: 0

⚡ Explore WNS

Load Popular Hashtags
Popular Tags
Discord
Join WNS Discord

⚡ Events

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Dec. 12th 2025

#smackdown

WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

Washington, District Of Columbia

Dec. 13th 2025

#snme

WWE Monday Night RAW

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Dec. 15th 2025

#raw

WWE NXT

Orlando, Florida

Dec. 16th 2025

#nxt

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dec. 19th 2025

#smackdown

WWE Monday Night RAW

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dec. 19th 2025

#raw