The McCoys: Garage Rock Pioneers and Pop Hitmakers

The McCoys were an American rock band best known for their 1965 number one hit "Hang On Sloopy." Hailing from Union City, Indiana, the group carved a niche in the 1960s music scene by blending garage rock energy with catchy pop melodies.

Early career

The band formed in 1962 under the name The Rick Z Combo, led by guitarist and vocalist Rick Zehringer, who would later become known as Rick Derringer. They built a strong local following in the Midwest with a raw, energetic sound rooted in rock and roll and rhythm and blues. Their early lineup solidified with the addition of Randy Zehringer on drums, Randy Jo Hobbs on bass, and Ronnie Brandon on keyboards.

Breakthrough

The McCoys' breakthrough came in 1965 after being discovered and produced by the hitmaking team of Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Their first single, a cover of the Vibrations' song "Hang On Sloopy," was released on the Bang Records label. The track exploded, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1965, displacing The Beatles' "Yesterday," and was certified gold for selling over one million copies.

Key tracks

Hang On Sloopy - This definitive garage rock anthem became the band's signature song and a perennial sports stadium favorite, particularly for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Fever - Released as the follow-up single, this rocked-up version of the classic tune reached the Top 10, proving their initial success was not a fluke.

Come On Let's Go - This single showcased the band's driving, fuzz-guitar laden sound that was central to the mid-60s garage rock movement.

Sorrow - A later track that illustrated the band's musical development, featuring a more complex, melancholic arrangement.

Following their initial success, The McCoys released several albums, including Hang On Sloopy and You Make Me Feel So Good, and continued to tour extensively. As the 1960s progressed, their sound evolved, incorporating more psychedelic rock and sunshine pop influences on albums like Infinite McCoys. The band's leader, Rick Derringer, later found significant success as a guitarist with Edgar Winter's group and with his own hit "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo."

Fans of The McCoys' blend of raw rock and pop hooks might also enjoy the music of The Knickerbockers, who also mastered the British Invasion-inspired sound. The Shadows Of Knight shared their gritty garage rock approach and penchant for covers. The pop-oriented side of their work connects with The Monkees, who similarly crafted catchy, radio-friendly rock. For the psychedelic leanings of their later work, explore The Strawberry Alarm Clock and their sunny, psychedelic soundscapes.

The music of The McCoys remains a staple on classic rock and oldies radio stations, capturing the spirited essence of the 1960s. Their recordings continue to be featured on broadcasts that celebrate the roots of garage and pop rock.

Listeners can discover the hits and deeper cuts from The McCoys through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their iconic sound is regularly part of the programming.