Derringer to celebrate 50th anniversary at the Midland

• Rick Derringer, will perform on Nov. 6 at the Midland.
• Derringer will celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Hang on Sloopy" and 50 years as a musician.

NEWARK — What do Brutus Buckeye, "Hang on Sloopy" and Rick Derringer have in common?

All three are celebrating significant anniversaries this year. And residents can experience all three Nov. 6 when Derringer brings a special golden anniversary concert to the Midland Theatre.

An Ohio native, Derringer's musical career began in 1965, when he recorded "Hang on Sloopy," with his band The McCoys. The song became associated with Ohio State University after it was performed by its marching band.

That same year, Brutus was introduced as the school's mascot.

Derringer marked the occasion on Sept. 12, performing "Hang on Sloopy" live with the OSU marching band during the Buckeyes' pregame show.

He decided to continue the momentum by hosting two special performances in Youngstown and Newark.

"I'm a Buckeye through and through," Derringer said. " And what better place to do this than in my home state?"

Derringer will be joined on the Midland stage Nov. 6 by several of his friends, including Derek St. Holmes, Badfinger's Joey Molland, Pat Travers, and Terry Davidson and The Gears.

They'll each perform several of their hits, and they will join Derringer on stage, with Brutus Buckeye, for a special rendition of "Hang on Sloopy."

They'll also have the opportunity to watch trailers for two upcoming films, one about the history of "Hang on Sloopy" and the other about Derringer's career.

"There will be hits, hits and hits," Derringer said. "If you want to go to one concert this year and see something a little different, this is the one to go to."

Although he's well known for performing "Hang on Sloopy," which is the official rock song of the state of Ohio, the Midland concert also will highlight some of the other aspects of Derringer's career, said Kenn Moutenot, who is a drummer and singer in Derringer's band, and his manager.

"He is really a Renaissance man," he said. "We want to point out the other great things he did."

Derringer is known for his guitar skills, but he also has spent time writing and producing, collaborating with a variety of artists from Cyndi Lauper and Kiss to Weird Al Yankovic, Moutenot said.

"He's published over 500 songs," he said. "He is not only a great singer and songwriter but has been a producer for so many other artists."

One of his songs, "Real American," has been used by Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich and now Donald Trump.

For Moutenot, playing with Derringer and celebrating such a big career milestone with him has been a dream come true. He's hoping to one day see Derringer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Although he and Derringer talked about holding the 50th anniversary concerts in New York and Los Angeles, they thought it was important to bring them to Ohio, Moutenot said.

"There is going to be a star-studded cast. We'll be showing the trailers for the films. It's going to be a really a big night, and we want to bring that culture to Newark," he said.

Audience members will have the opportunity to express their OSU pride, listen to a variety of rock songs and enjoy a concert with a different format, all in one night, Derringer said.

"We are trying to present something a little more," he said. "It will be more of a variety, more of an interesting show."

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries

IF YOU GO

What: Rick Derringer 50th anniversary concert

When: 8 p.m. Nov. 6

Where: The Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Place, Newark

FYI: Tickets are $50 to $80. For more information, call 740-345-5483 or go to midlandtheatre.org.