Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo

"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" is a rock song written by Rick Derringer.[1] It was first recorded in 1970 by Johnny Winter and his band, Johnny Winter And, of which Derringer was a member. In 1973, Derringer recorded a solo version and it became his only Top 40 chart hit as a solo artist, peaking on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 23.[2] Both Winter and Derringer have recorded multiple live versions of the song, and several other artists have recorded covers.

"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo"
Song by Johnny Winter And
from the album Johnny Winter And
Released	1970 (1970)
Recorded	1970
Genre	Hard rock
Length	3:29
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Rick Derringer
Producer(s)	Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer

Original version

"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" was initially recorded by Johnny Winter in 1970 with his band "Johnny Winter And", which included Rick Derringer and other former members of The McCoys. According to Derringer, "The first song I wrote for Johnny was 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo'. 'Rock and Roll' to satisfy the rock 'n' roll that I was supposed to be bringing into the picture, and 'Hoochie Koo' to satisfy the king of blues sensibility that Johnny was supposed to maintain. And it worked out great".[3] However, Winter noted, "The reviewers liked it. I didn't think 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' would do as well as it did 'cause it was a little corny. Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. You don't ever know".[3] The song is included on the Johnny Winter And album, which reached number 154 on the Billboard 200 album chart.[4][5] In 1970, they recorded the song during the Live Johnny Winter And tour, which was released as Live at the Fillmore East 10/3/70 in 2010. Together they later recorded the song with Winter's brother for Edgar Winter's White Trash live 1972 album Roadwork.

Rick Derringer version

"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo"
Song by Rick Derringer
from the album All American Boy
Released	1973 (1973)
Recorded	1973
Genre	Hard rock
Length	3:43
Label	Blue Sky
Songwriter(s)	Rick Derringer
Producer(s)	Bill Szymczyk, Rick Derringer

Rick Derringer recorded the song for his 1973 solo debut album All American Boy. Derringer's version became a staple of 1970s rock music compilations and classic rock radio. Derringer subsequently recorded several live versions of "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" over the years.[1] In 2012, he recorded and released a new version of the song with lyrics reflecting his Christian beliefs. Titled "Read the Word and Live It Too," the song also credited a "Big D" for the rapped verses. Derringer's version has appeared in several films, including The Spirit of '76 (1990), Rush (1991), Dazed and Confused (1993), Stag (1997), and What a Girl Wants (2003).

Other renditions

In 1975, a live performance of "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" by Van Halen was recorded, although it is officially unreleased. Suzi Quatro recorded the song for her 1978 album If You Knew Suzi... Canadian rock band Bootsauce recorded a version of the song on their 1993 album Sleeping Bootie. Nashville Pussy recorded a version of the song for their 2002 LP Say Something Nasty. Japanese band Superfly included it as a B-side on their 2009 single "My Best of My Life", as well as on the 2010 compilation album Cover Songs: Complete Best 'Track 3'. Four By Fate included a version on their debut album Relentless (2016). Guitarist Phil X (Bon Jovi, Powder, Phil X & The Drills) often performs the song live with both the Drills and as a solo artist with guest musicians.

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo – Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
2. "Rick Derringer - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
3. Sullivan, Mary Lou (2010). Raisin' Cain: The Wild and Raucous Story of Johnny Winter. Backbeat Books. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-0-87930-973-2.
4. "Johnny Winter – Billboard albums". AllMusic. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
5. A promotional single of "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" b/w "21st Century Man" was also released in 1970 (Columbia 4-45260).