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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Egbert Williams • August 18, 2022
Still a very beautiful woman and I’m not being polite about that. She literally is.
Steven Smith • March 17, 2022
Joe..Lisa is a very nice lady. I am so glad I was in the right place at the right time to help her tell her story and to reveal the truth. Lightning struck once that day she performed her iconic Sloopy dance. You are correct. Her dancing makes the video!
Joe Ramos • March 17, 2022
I will always keep this lady close to my heart. She was and is an inspiration.
I loved the song but Lisa was it.
steven smith • December 10, 2021
Paul..you are part of an exclusive club of millions.
Paul • December 10, 2021
Gorgeuse im in love with an older woman
Steven Smith • October 11, 2021
Derek….correct on all counts. I might add that version is not The McCoys. Some backing band Rick put together in the 1970s.
Derek • October 11, 2021
Thank you Steve for clearing this up.
Many think it is Liz Brewer..not so..and the video is from 1975, not the sixties…it is Lisa Leonard Dalton.
I wish people would read more and not insert their stupid commentary before reading factual info.
Steven Smith • October 2, 2021
The real Liz Derringer…Liz Agriss Derringer from NYC …has remarried. Her current husband told us she said Rick did not know the girl. She was a studio backlot girl who danced and left. That describes Lisa’s role. Twice I have asked Liz Brewer in UK if she was the dancer. She replied but would not say yes or no. She was never married to Rick. His wives were the real Liz Derringer from NYC…Dyan Buckelew Derringer and current wife Jenda (Brenda Jean). When you eliminate Liz Brewer as Rick’s wife ( mand when his actual wife Liz Agriss Derringer confirmed it was not her dancing, it destroys the whole urban legend that it was Rick’s wife dancing. Then somebody messed it up more by falsely linking Rick and Liz in the UK in matrimony. Maybe I need to clarify Rick’s marriages with photos and years. Lisa Leonard Dalton has photos with 99% matches in facial recognition. Her story makes sense and there are 20 or more witnesses who knew her in 1975. Some of whom knew she had the gig and others who recognize her immediately. Lisa Leonard Dalton is Sloopy Girl.
William Zxxxxx • October 2, 2021
How hard is it to find someone in the music industry to contact Rick Derringer and ask him if he or any band members spoke with the dancer. If someone did, did the dancer speak with a British accent.
mavis gold • October 2, 2021
watch the video.
why is this even a question at this point.
Steven Smith • October 2, 2021
William…..I just realized you were commenting at the original post when we were hunting Sloopy Girl. Check out this one … we found her.
https://qzvx.com/2021/09/20/deconstructing-a-myth-sloopy-girl-lisa-leonard-dalton/
Steven Smith • September 8, 2021
Jaime…thanks for the comment. We are almost set to release our findings. Lots of double checking going on now.