Rick Dees
USABiography of Rick Dees
Rick Dees III, an American comedian, radio host, and showman, was born on March 14, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, and grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from Grimsley High School and earned a bachelor's degree in Radio, Film, and Television from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dees is most well-known as the host of the radio show "Weekly Top 40" and for his performance of the chart-topping hit "Disco Duck" on the Billboard charts. He is a recipient of the prestigious People's Choice Award for achievements in pop culture and has been nominated for a Grammy. Dees has written two songs for the musical drama "Saturday Night Fever" and performed the main song for the comedy film "Meatballs." He is also a co-founder of the television network "Fine Living" and the host of a morning show on a Los Angeles radio station.
Radio Career
Dees began his radio career in Greensboro at WGBG station. He worked at several radio stations in the southeast of the United States, including WSGN in Birmingham. His international success started in Memphis at "The Great 68" station, where he discovered his passion for being a DJ in the 1970s and recorded the humorous song "Disco Duck," which sold six million copies. The platinum record earned him the People's Choice Award and BMI Award. After a brief hiatus, Dees moved to another station, WHBQ-AM, also in Memphis, and immediately saw a rise in ratings. In 1979, Dees relocated to Los Angeles and began hosting morning shows on KHJ station before becoming the host of the show on KIIS-FM in 1981. This station became one of the most profitable in America, approaching a revenue of nearly half a million dollars. Dees received numerous positive reviews and was named the Billboard's Best Radio Personality ten times in a row. In September 1983, Dees started hosting the radio program "Weekly Top 40," which is currently broadcasted on 200 radio stations worldwide. In December 2008, "Weekly Top 40" became the first English radio show in China. After 23 years at KIIS-FM, Dees left the station due to contract renewal issues, and his position was filled by Ryan Seacrest.
Achievements and Other Ventures
Throughout his long career, Dees has received numerous awards, including the Marconi Award and inductions into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 1984, he was nominated for a Grammy for his comedy album "Hurt Me Baby - Make Me Write Bad Checks" and later received the Grammy Governor's Award. His other albums, "I'm Not Crazy," "Rick Dees' Greatest Hit (The White Album)," and "Put It Where The Moon Don't Shine," were also successful worldwide. Dees has an eponymous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The American showman made an appearance in a cameo role in the biopic "La Bamba" in 1987, portraying a young Ted Quillen, who helped the rock and roll star Ritchie Valens achieve fame. Beyond radio, Dees is an outstanding businessman and entrepreneur. He is a co-founder of the cable network "Fine Living," which serves over 50 million households. Additionally, Dees is a passionate advocate for America's public lands and is a farmer and agriculturalist in central Kentucky. He enjoys winter sports, golf, and confidently refers to himself as a pastry chef who loves adding chocolate to his culinary masterpieces. Dees currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, comedian and impressionist Julie McWhirter. The couple has a son named Kevin.
