Tropidaze (excerpt from chapter 25)

The Van Wezel is situated on the edge of Sarasota Bay, a beautiful and tropical location. It's an indoor concert venue that's designed to keep the audience cool from the Florida heat. The theatre seemed about one-quarter filled, and we were able to to secure prime, close-up seats as Rita Coolidge took the stage. Her set was jazz influenced, and included her biggest pop hit, "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" from 1977. We felt young among the audience of mostly senior citizens, who politely applauded Rita's tunes. Then Rick Derringer took the stage.

I knew only this about Rick Derringer: He was the leader of a group called the McCoys,who had a giant pop hit in 1965 wuth "Hang On Sloopy." He moved into the 1970s as the guitarist for the Edgar Winter Group, a blazing blues rock band with some pretty cool radio songs such as "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride." Now, the graying Derringer stepped onto the Van Wezel stage with only a young drummer and bassist behind him. With the first screaming notes from his guitar, it was clear that Derringer was here to rock n' roll. Within 10-15 minutes, dozens of senior citizens headed for the exits as the group rocked at high decibels. Derringer wasn't about to submit to an acoustic set. He plunged into extended jams on "Hang On Sloopy" and his other other signature song, "Rock n' Roll Hootchie Koo."

My wife and I were somewhat awed by this blatant, cocky display of rock and not exactly loving it. My rock n' roll ears had somewhat mellowed over the years, nevertheless, I was still impressed by Derringer's skillful playing and singing. With my head ringing on the drive back to Port Charlotte, I realized that this guy was all about the music. He wasn't about meaningful lyrics, excursions into jazz, hip-hop or anything new. Rick Derringer played what he loved and knew best and wasn't about to make adjustments for the audience. I believe that Dave Mason, originally scheduled and who I hope to eventually see, would approve. These guys were our new southwest Florida neighbors and I admire their legacies.