Update: Rick Derringer verified that Lisa is the famous dancer. The Deconstructing a Myth: Sloopy Girl documentary had been released and available for only one month when Rick Derringer confirmed publicly, at his YouTube channel on October 23, 2021, that Lisa Leonard Dalton was the dancer in his popular online video. Apparently the 1975 reggae version of the song, with the steel drums and marimba, was not his favorite rendition of the famous tune — but he sure recognized and remembered Lisa and her incredible dancing. The Deconstructing a Myth: Sloopy Girl documentary had been prepared before Rick confirmed that Lisa was the mysterious dancer — so the video documentary had by necessity relied heavily on the accounts of a dozen witnesses, vintage photos, physical evidence, and police grade facial recognition software that had unequivocally identified Lisa Leonard Dalton as the “Sloopy Girl” dancer. Again in November 2022, Rick Derringer confirmed on his Facebook page that Lisa was the dancer in his viral online “Hang On Sloopy” video. At QZVX we knew that all along, but now it is 100% — Lisa Leonard Dalton danced in Rick’s 1975 music video. Just the same, it is much appreciated that Rick stepped forward to verify the truth. RIP Rick, you will be missed!
Since that matter has now been settled, let’s move on to the original story from May 2020.
Here’s the original information, including recent updates, that accompanied this article when it was published in May 2020:
As a kid, living in the NW corner of Washington State, I had great reception of Canadian radio stations. Those of us looking for an AM Top-40 radio station in 1965 and ’66 often heard the sound of C-FUN out of Vancouver, BC. The intro to this video harks back to those days.
“Hang On Sloopy” was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1965. Other records by The McCoys that received significant radio airplay included “Fever,” “Sorrow,” and “Come On Let’s Go.” Rick Derringer also produced records and played lead guitar with Edgar and Johnny Winter in the 1970s. He had a solo hit with “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo” in 1974 (Billboard Hot 100 peak position #23).
Usually I post a very early rendition of a “Found Performance.” This is an exception. I have located two 1965 appearances by the original “McCoys.” But the video I chose is from 1975 and it will get your attention. It has an 80 million strong fan base.
Former McCoys’ vocalist, Rick Derringer, was filming a new music film to promote a remake of his former band’s hit single “Hang On Sloopy.” It wasn’t the new 1975 incarnation of the decade old song that got the attention of the fans. It was the blond dancing girl. The premise was that during the film shoot, a gorgeous girl would stroll by and spontaneously break into a sexy and captivating dance routine.
It didn’t take much of a detective work to debunk that theory. Girls like this don’t just wander down the street into a film set. This girl was obviously no ordinary passerby. After a decade of rumors, and one British woman, with zero connection to Derringer or the dance, trying to hint around that she had some connection to Derringer. In 2021 t was revealed that Lisa Leonard Dalton, an American, is the authentic Sloopy Girl.
The urban legend that the “Hang On Sloopy” dancer was the British party planner, or that she had been married to singer Rick Derringer, were discredited. If you’ve heard that false rumor, then you need to see “Sloopy Wives-Fact and Fiction” (Read it HERE ). The meticulously documented article answers the questions: How old are these ladies and who was actually married to Rick Derringer? At the time of her 1975 performance Lisa Leonard Dalton was 19 years old. A California girl, she came to the attention of the filmmakers when she won the 1974 dance competition at Gazzarri’s, a popular Hollywood nightclub. For anyone with any remaining interest in Brewer, the answers to some of the questions that inevitably come up about her can be found in the British Newspaper Archives. (Click HERE to view an assortment of clippings).
Several music tracks have accompanied this 1975 video in its online life. In my original video below, I had edited into the video the 1965 hit version of “Hang On Sloopy.” I later regretted doing that: It was nearly impossible to get a good lip sync with the singer, because the two versions of the song were so different. But, the bigger issue was it created confusion. A number of online videos include the old 1965 song dubbed over the 1975 dance video. Part of the mistaken identity can be traced to viewers thinking the video was filmed ten years earlier than it actually was. In fact, the 1975 version of “Hang On Sloopy” that should go with the video was a reggae cover with steel drums and a marimba. The reggae cover of “Hang On Sloopy” came out on Rick Derringer’s 1975 album “Spring Fever” and at that time the “Sloopy” track was also, once again, released as a 45 RPM single.
In researching this project, I came across a family photo of Lisa Leonard Dalton dating back to 2010. I knew that her facial expression was familiar to me. Sure enough, her expression and appearance perfectly matched the “Sloopy Girl” dancer. Nobody needs facial recognition software to realize that even 35 years later, this is the same woman. To read the story of the search for “Sloopy Girl,” check out “Deconstructing a Myth: Sloopy Girl.” You can watch it by clicking HERE.
Editorial Update (Feb. 2022)
Lisa Leonard Dalton appeared in an on-camera interview in January 2022. It is the first in a series of several short video interviews. To watch “Up-Close & Personal in Tennessee” click HERE.
When the Deconstructing a Myth video was released in summer 2021 it went viral. Shortly afterwards, YouTube Channels and entertainment websites updated their information to reflect that Lisa Leonard Dalton is the authentic “Sloopy Girl.” The narrative has certainly changed. When entering Lisa Leonard Dalton’s name in a search engine, it’s readily apparent that she now has a strong online presence as the mysterious “Hang on Sloopy” dancer. To learn more about our discovery that Lisa Leonard Dalton is the Sloopy Girl, please click HERE.
Overwhelmingly, thousands of “Sloopy Girl” fans embraced the truth. They asked Lisa to share current photos and to record a cell phone video. On November 5, 2021, Lisa accommodated those requests. While attending a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in Knoxville, two of Lisa’s friends took some pictures and she recorded a video greeting. Two of the new photos are included below. To watch Lisa Leonard Dalton’s new video, called November Night in Tennessee, please click HERE. And check out Lisa’s “Sloopy Girl” website at https://lisasloopygirl.com/
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Martin R. Howell • May 29, 2021
I was the dancing lady and what a tribute that was to the make-up artist.
Martin R. Howell • May 29, 2021
Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo!
Angelina • May 28, 2021
when was this made because my grandma is the dancing lady. all jokes aside!!
Steven Smith • May 29, 2021
1976 film…Angela,tell us more about your grandma! I would interview her. Is your grandma Lisa Dalton? Or another lady? Send me an email at steven-L-smith@comcast.net
Elle • June 1, 2021
I thought the edit had taken to correct the email address you have for the comcast one for Angela to use. It has the Kingofthehouse. I hope that is still a good one. Also, I kinda got excited today because I have reached out to a couple of people who interviewed, wrote about and knows Liz Derringer. One responded back to me today and said he would call her and get back with me on what she says in a couple of days. If it happens, I will forward that to you.
Steven Smith • June 4, 2021
Angelina…I am interested in the info and photos you sent but need to get answers to some questions.
Elle • May 28, 2021
I have sent the Lisa Dalton who says she is the dancer your link so you can interview her. She says she would love to interview with you. I am looking forward to her proof and how she convinces you. I wish you would email me when and if she contacts you. Here is the text.
Ease54 6 months ago
OK…so is this the Sloopy dancer, or not?
2
lisa dalton
lisa dalton
2 months ago
No it is Not!
I am Sloopy 😁
Elle
Elle
26 minutes ago
No, Liz Brewer that was Rick’s wife and the dancer on the original video is American. Here is an interview with her https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6An6546UUOo
Elle
Elle
26 minutes ago
@lisa dalton Pudget Sound Media wants to interview you. Why haven’t you accepted?
1
lisa dalton
lisa dalton
10 minutes ago
@Elle it is I !! Lisa !!!
lisa dalton
Highlighted reply
lisa dalton
9 minutes ago
@Elle I would love an interview !!!
angelina • May 29, 2021
shes not a social media person that is my grandmother. how does she even get an interview.
Elle • May 30, 2021
Angelina, She has been sent the information on how to contact Steven by me about 4 times. So, in hopes that you will help her navigate and upload information here is the email you should use. kingofthehouse@comcast.net Steven Smith has been trying to talk with her for at least a year that I have seen posts back to. He will definitely be the one to help set the record straight, which a lot of us would like to see happen. You had said in a post on YouTube you would give me your social contact but Steven is the one with the experience and connections to get her story out there. She has said that she won a contest in one post. One post said she was paid $200 to dance. Another post said she just didn’t remember details that well and several months ago she made a post that she was working on posting the proof. Surely you can see why people won’t just take her word for it. Not to be mean, it’s just that anyone can make that claim. So, being her granddaughter, it would be awesome if you could help upload to the email address what she may have. I cannot imagine her not having photographs from the shoot back then. It had to be an exciting once in a lifetime event for her young age and to think she has Nothing as proof is odd, to say the least. Thanks for helping your grandmother set the record straight! Elle
Steven Smith • May 29, 2021
Elle,
That is a newer video and I had never seen the interview….thanks. But a few clarifications on your intro to it. The lady in the video you linked to IS NOT British. Her maiden name is Agriss and she was married to Rick when Sloopy was filmed. They were married about 20 years, I have dates in my file and copies of marriage license info. Then and now she went by Liz Derringer. Then and now she is tight with Bebe Buell…best friends. Her name was never Brewer and she might have visited the UK but she is American from NY. Rick was married three times total. After Agriss to Dyan and now to Jenda (nickname). Never to another Liz or anyone named Brewer.
The real Liz Brewer is British and a completely different person. She was married once only, not to Rick, and her then husband was featured in a documentary about a lion cub raised in London that was successfully relocated to Africa. She lived the rock and nightclub life so there is some possibility she was the dancer in Sloopy…although she had no known connection to Rick. So we have two potential Lizzes…Derringer and Brewer. There is no such thing as the made up internet dancer Liz “Brewer” Derringer. If the Sloopy dancer truly was “married” to Rick then the only possible person was Liz Agriss Derringer. Or if the dancer really was Liz Brewer then the only option would be Liz Brewer the event planner and etiquette expert in the UK….who was never Rick’s wife.
Then we hear from Lisa Dalton. Seriously, I have no clue if she even exists or if it is a person messing with us. She complains of being slighted, but otherwise cannot come up with a photo of herself when sHe was allegedly a dancer in the Hollywood nightclub Gazzaris. If you can motivate Lisa to actually communicate with us at PSM…then that would be great and appreciated.
As you can tell, I have gone to extensive work in unraveling this mystery But I am still not complete with my investigation. Just for the record, I do have correspondence from one of the two Lizzes saying she was the dancer. But I am sitting on that as I verify more of the story. I want to get this messed up story right. Google has it totally screwed up…leading to people assuming the two Lizzes are one and the same. not!
Elle • May 29, 2021
Thanks, I have never heard that maiden name of Liz. Glad you set the record straight! I look forward to what you find out.
Steven Smith • May 29, 2021
Elle..I will post a couple photos soon. Stand by,
Cindy Daniels • April 26, 2021
I don’t understand. Will someone be able to respond if they want to to my email? Why or why not?
Steven Smith • April 26, 2021
Cindy…If you ask a question we will try to answer. You can email me at.. kingofthehouse@comcast.net
Steven Smith • March 13, 2021
I have had at least four people contact me stating they are the dancer, their neighbor is, their wife is. Two who have not contacted me to claim they are the dancer are the two women it is most likely to be….Liz Derringer in NY or Liz Brewer in the UK. Lisa Dalton did leave me a message in the last few weeks that she is looking for a photo. Most of the people leaving messages about Lisa are Lisa herself or those she has convinced she got the Sloopy gig after winning a dance contest. It sounds plausible, but since this video has been around since mid-70s and it has been viewed millions of times it seems it would have been a big enough deal she would have some sort of memorabilia of the moment….an era appropriate photo. I got a snapshot from Liz Brewer in the UK when I asked her about it. As a tease she sent a photo of herself from the era. It was like…”you asked, so what do you think? Was it me or not”?
Nigel Butler • March 13, 2021
She is LISA DALTON she is 65 years and she contacted me to confirm it.
See YouTube.
Jason Remington • March 13, 2021
See Youtube for what? Videos on how to apply makeup? Life Hacks? What are you babbling about? You give no definitive answers. Just another person throwing out a claim with nothing to back it up. Thanks for playing though. You get no consolation prize.
Steven Smith • June 9, 2021
Nigel, You may be right. We are looking into it seriously.
Steven Smith • March 6, 2021
That comment is pretty vague. Claiming to know who it is, not suggesting whom. I suspect a supporter of the Lisa Dalton claim. Vs. Liz Brewer in UK or Liz Derringer, who actually was married to Rick Derringer, and now lives in NY.
Nick • March 6, 2021
I have known “Sloppy” for years, but just found the video 6 yrs ago. There was no doubt it was her when we watched the video. So aside for 15 minutes of fame what is this worth to her? And yes there is more than enough proof it is indeed her.
Jason Remington • March 6, 2021
Again, someone claiming to have knowledge, but giving no proof to substantiate the identity. It remains a mystery who “Sloppy” actually is.
Steven Smith • June 4, 2021
Nick….I know you are the brother in law of one of the ladies claiming to be the dancer. That you are married to her sister. I do not know of any money in this venture for the dancer, but it seems very important to her to set the record straight. So I am attempting to do that because it is an interesting story with lots of people watching it. The video I put together, we link to, has over a million views. But none of that money comes to us. The ads stuck in it go to the publisher of Hang on Sloopy the song or maybe youtube…not to me or Puget Sound Media.
Jason Remington • February 16, 2021
I think a picture of Lisa, or documentation Lisa can provide from the record company or her business association with the video maker would be satisfactory. We await this proof Lisa. Bring it!
Steven Smith • June 4, 2021
I have now been sent photos of Lisa. It is possible that she is the dancer. But I need to get the whole story to corroborate details. I am quite sure it is one of the two Liz’s or Lisa. I have eliminated one. Hoping to get further contacts from Lisa or her family.