Rick Dees Retires

http://www.rronline.com/Subscribers/TodaysNews/newspm.asp#Rick%20Dees%20Hangs%20Up%20His%20Headphones ^

[Lunatic Fringe]

After teasing listeners last week with a "life-changing announcement," longtime KIIS-FM/Los Angeles wake-up host Rick Dees (pictured) revealed early this morning that today's program will be his last for the Clear Channel station. The announcement comes after Clear Channel reportedly offered Dees a multimillion-dollar, five-year deal that included Dees' continued involvement as host of the Premiere-syndicated Weekly Top 40 program.

In telling listeners of his decision, Dees said he "owes a debt of gratitude" to his longtime fans and noted that he looks forward "to several more years with the Weekly Top 40. It has been decided that I will no longer do the morning radio show at KIIS-FM. It's a new a day - let's get going." Dees, who joined KIIS 22 years ago, noted that ratings fluctuate but said that his show is the No. 1-revenue generating morning program in L.A. Dees then played Enya's "Only Time," and featured audio highlights from Dees' program from over the years. No on-air statement was made concerning new American Top 40 host Ryan Seacrest, who is expected to succeed Dees at KIIS.

[JayNorth]

Wally George...

That's Rebecca Demornay's dad.

[Prime Choice]

I never listened to Dees when he was on the air. I only remember his short-lived run as a TV talk show host. Talk about a flop...

[oyez]

I met Rick Dees on an elevator in downtown Memphis in 1976, the most entertaining elevator ride of my life. The man never let up with his nonsense.

[socal_parrot]

Thanks for the site info. The airchecks of the Real Don Steel and Charlie Tuna on KHJ in the late 60s and early 70s were awsome.

[kellynla]

You are really dating yourself. If you go back that far you must remember "Chesterfields" and "The Place Across the Street"...LOL

[ArmstedFragg]

The airchecks of the Real Don Steel and Charlie Tuna on KHJ in the late 60s and early 70s were awsome.

Tina Delgatto is STILL alive!

Looking at the KIIS web-site must have been a major depressing experience for Rick. All the other jocks are less than half his age. It didn't take them long to get him off the site, either. His picture was gone while his chair was still warm

That 60's and 70's era produced a lot of folks who were long-time survivors in the business. Johnny Hayes, and Steve Jay (Jay Stevens) are still active in L.A. radio and "Machine Gun" Tom Kelly still does a lot of commercial work.

[ArmstedFragg]

I liked the Solid Gold dancers

Seen their web-site? Pictures and bios on all those little puppies and pupp-ettes. Made me feel like a whole new... uh... fan.

[oyez]

"Chesterfields" That was over by Clark Tower. They were famous for hot and cold running women. Then there was that club over by Methodist Hospital up there in that "dish". What did they call that? "2001"?

[socal_parrot]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard that Dees was offered 2.5 mil to keep going. As far as FM goes in LA, besides Dees there would be Power (Big Boy?), Kevin and Bean on KROQ and Mark and Brian on KLOS. I would think he would be in the top two of those shows. I actually never listened to him.

As for reelradio.com, the air checks are awsome. The one "Boss Jock" from KHJ I didn't see was Sam Riddle. KHJ was it for AM radio in LA during the 70s along with KEZY 1190 in Orange County. On FM it was KLOS and KMET. Now it's all corporate stations with bot jocks.

[Revel]

"I thought he did his best work on Solid Gold back in the 80s. No, wait a minute. I liked the Solid Gold dancers. Nevermind. :)"

You mean when you could still come up with 40 new songs that were worth listening to.

[kellynla]

yep...you do remember...a lot of good times there before I left in '76 and came to LA.

[oyez]

Now the fun is to be had on Beale Street or you can run up to Automatic Slim's Tonga Club.

[ArmstedFragg]

KHJ was it for AM radio in LA during the 70s

The turnaround for KHJ started in '65, when Bill Drake's Boss Radio format moved in. Ron Jacobs (AKA Big Kahuna) programmed it during the early days and has written quite a book detailing his memories from those days. The growth of Boss Radio followed an almost military-like process in the early days. Drake hired away most of the staff of his competitor in Fresno and moved them San Diego. A year later, he took part of them to KHJ when he took over, then also took some back to San Francisco where he essentially ran the station that had fired him in about '63 right out of town.

Funny you should mention Sam Riddle. I was just looking at a couple of photos of him during his "dance show" period. They were originally on www.93khj.com, then somehow got de-linked. Google'll probably turn them up.

Boss radio came along at a time when everybody was doing "personality" formats. It triumphed by being tight, music-heavy, promotionally hip, and well-produced. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody comes along and takes advantage of the current "Mc-Radio" climate using updated versions of those tactics. It'd be kind of cool to see a brilliantly programmed "indie" blow those corp. guys right out of the book.

[petuniasevan]

The airchecks of the Real Don Steel and Charlie Tuna on KHJ in the late 60s and early 70s were awsome

Hey! No fair dragging me down Memory Lane!

...93 KHJ!

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

Seen their web-site? Pictures and bios on all those little puppies and pupp-ettes. Made me feel like a whole new... uh... fan.

WHAT??? What's the URL ! ?? Please please please....

My favorite dancer was named Pam. At least I think that was her name, it's been about 20 yrs. She was a nice petite little blonde. :)

[Bud Krieger]

If you are too young to remember this song, be eternally grateful.

---

If only. I was quite young, so at the time I actually liked it !! LOL !!

[BunnySlippers]

Is he well? Some people retire when they have a life threatening illness.

[My Favorite Headache]

The worst

[Cinnamon Girl]

Apparently he wasn't pleased with his contract. He's supposed to continue on with Weekly Top 40.

[Rainmist]

I loved and reveled in the disco era, but god I hated that song !!!