DEES BIOGRAPHY
Comedic performer and renowned radio personality, Rick Dees has made an indelible mark in the entertainment world with his captivating enthusiasm and quick-witted style. His #1 internationally syndicated radio show, The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, is heard each weekend by more than 70 million people around the world, including virtually every city in the United States, 125 countries, 27 massive ships at sea, and on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Distributed domestically by Citadel Media Networks and internationally by Dees Entertainment International, Dees’ familiar voice and multitude of characters have become a mainstay of the American psyche and have even extended into Beijing, China becoming the first English speaking radio show to entertain Chinese listeners on weekends.
Dees became the hottest property in radio when he began hosting the top rated morning radio show in Los Angeles on KIIS-FM in July of 1981. In a short time, he turned KIIS-FM into the #1 revenue generating radio station in America with an asset value approaching one-half billion dollars. With unprecedented ratings success, Dees garnered many accolades, including Billboard Radio Personality Of The Year ten years in a row, the Marconi Award, the National Radio Hall Of Fame, and his induction into the National Association Of Broadcasters’ Hall Of Fame. Dees launched his nationally syndicated daily radio show, "Daily Dees", in April partnering with Cumulus Media and rocketed to the top 5 in Los Angeles on Clear Channel's Hot 92.3 FM.
His latest ventures reflect his expansion into the digital realm, expanding distribution of his own abundant entertainment content, as well as launching many online digital channels, the first of which is All Number One Hits, presented online via the newly upgraded hub of all things Rick Dees, rick.com.
Rick Dees’ introduction to the international entertainment arena began during the disco craze of the late 70’s. Dees wrote and recorded “Disco Duck,” the award-winning runaway hit that sold more than six million copies. This platinum recording earned him a People’s Choice Award, and the BMI Award for record sales in one year. In 1984, Dees received a Grammy Award nomination for his comedy album, “Hurt Me Baby - Make Me Write Bad Checks” and has since received the Grammy Governor’s Award. His other comedy albums - “I‘m Not Crazy,” “Rick Dees’ Greatest Hit (The White Album),” and “Put It Where The Moon Don’t Shine” have also enjoyed worldwide success.
In television, Dees hosted his own late-night show on the ABC television network in the early 90’s, “Into The Night Starring Rick Dees.” He has guest-starred on “Roseanne,” “Married With Children,” “Cheers,” “Diagnosis Murder,” and many other hit shows. In addition, Dees hosted the popular syndicated series “Solid Gold” from Paramount Television, and his voice has been enjoyed on numerous animated features, including The Flintstones where he starred as Rock Dees, and Jetsons: The Movie, where he played Rocket Rick.
In feature films, Rick Dees had a leading role in La Bamba, portraying Ted Quillen, the young man who helped launch Ritchie Valen’s career.
While his ingrained sense of the absurd and his fervent love of comedy have earned him top ratings in every city in which he has performed, Dees also has become a consummate businessman and entrepreneur outside the radio world. He is the founder/partner of the Fine Living Network, which is now the Cooking Channel on Scripps Networks. He is also the founder of DDN - The Dees Digital Network, the online engine that drives RICK.COM.
An avid outdoorsman, Dees is passionate about preserving the open land in America. He is also a farmer, raising both crops and cattle in central Kentucky. He loves water skiing and golf, and has a handicap of 6 on the links. He even caddied at the Masters in Augusta for Mark O’Meara. Rick is also an ardent pastry chef, who loves to bake anything with chocolate.
Dees graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Radio, TV and Motion Pictures, and is an inductee in the North Carolina Broadcast Hall Of Fame. Active in Young Life, an organization committed to helping youth in their formative years, Rick also is a proud participant in the Boy Scouts Of America, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout himself at age 15.
Rick Dees currently resides in Toluca Lake, a suburb of Los Angeles, with his wife Julie, who is an accomplished comedienne with numerous credits, including being the voice of several Smurfs, and voice of Casper The Friendly Ghost. Julie’s stand-up comedy has thrilled audiences around the world, and she plies these skills as a regular on Rick’s radio shows. Julie and Rick have a son, Kevin, who is President of Creative Development for Dees Entertainment, Inc., and a radio and TV host himself.
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I love u rick
Dees Junkie — Sat, 01/14/2012 - 04:30I love u rick
Am from Uganda.....I Have
Dees Junkie — Sun, 04/24/2011 - 23:55Am from Uganda.....I Have Known this show since I was only 10
You rock man> Come down to
George Item man — Tue, 04/05/2011 - 06:23You rock man> Come down to Namibia some time
I am the man. GOD is the GOD. What are you?!
Rick Dees is
sainto — Sat, 03/26/2011 - 01:00Rick Dees is Koooooooollllllllllla, and it is fun to be with you gys....
st.
heeeey, I listen to the rick
Dees Junkie — Fri, 02/18/2011 - 17:30heeeey,
I listen to the rick dees like everyday, and I think it's really cool on what you guys do, and I wish that there was some way that you guys would maybe be able to do something special.On the 26 of march it's my 15th birthday and it would be special because i am the rick dees like biggest fan. I just think that it would make my birthday even more special, also if you play "Perfect" by Hedley, and "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks, because they remind me of my great grandmother who had died just in the month of november 2009. Well i hope you have a great day adn keep playing all the favourite songs you do. <3 Gabbie Scharf Qyon Quebec
Hello Mr. Dees. How
Dees Junkie — Wed, 10/13/2010 - 00:33Hello Mr. Dees.
How are you sir?. Do hope that you and your's are all blessed and well. Just wanted to say I knew you
when you were at W.M.P.S IN Memphis and followed you everywherein Memphis that you went ,played.Mc's
and ,or hosted. We. meet many,many times and you told me that I did the best Wolfman Jack that you ever
heard,other than The Wolfman himself....
May God Bless You and Your's Always
Don Cherry.........D. Dog Man-------Miami
Hi Rick, I'm from Nigeria and
shyblack1 — Wed, 09/29/2010 - 12:23Hi Rick, I'm from Nigeria and I must confess your show rocks "wella"...Thanks for the birthday greetings and wishes I usually get from you on my birthdays; no other Radio talk show in my country and abroad does it better like you do...Bravo....Kudos....keep it up and please remember to play a nice song for my country as we celebrate 50 years of independence despite the reign of terror, corruption, massive looting of government treasury, kidnapping & abduction of innocent citizens and foreigners...If only Fela Anikulapo Kuti were to be alive, things like this would cause for a revolutionary change...Please I'd suggest you play Fela's "ZOMBIE" for my nation as they turn 50 years of Nothing....lmfAO
Ib Owugah
Hi Rick! You have many funs
Dees Junkie — Fri, 09/24/2010 - 21:23Hi Rick!
You have many funs in Kenya - we listen to you every Saturday from 10am to 1:00pm. Your voice rocks! and the hilarious show is a must listen every Saturday!!! -
Regards,
Joan from Kenya
funs = fans
Dees Junkie — Fri, 09/24/2010 - 21:25funs = fans
Hey, Rick. Hows our own
mtnfreebird — Fri, 09/10/2010 - 20:30Hey, Rick. Hows our own "Mouth of the South" ? Listening to "Rick Dees in the Morning" and the "Power Hour" at night in my 383 4-Barrel Dodge Muscle car with my babe was all that was missing in that movie "Dazed and Confused." I know that movie was based in Austin, but it was so surreal and if it had a clip of your show, it could have been Memphis. I went to a Bono, AR school, Westside HS, outside of Jonesboro, AR near Memphis and after your "Power Hour" at night, we listened to WLS rebroadcasting Wolfman Jack. "Rick and Jack." That was our tunes, besides our 8 Tracks.
So glad for your success. But, we were bummed when you left. Glad you kept your health and didn't "Eat to Many Jelly Donuts." LOL
You are our gift to the world.
Peace be with you, Class of '76, Les
Eagles do it a mile high
Hey Rick, I began listening
Dees Junkie — Fri, 08/27/2010 - 12:01Hey Rick,
I began listening to you when stationed at NAS Memphis, Millington, TN back in 1979 and part of 1980. I then was transferred to MCAS Tustin, CA where I was hearing yoru voice again and thoguth wow he's out here too! When my daughter was growing up and was sitting in her car seat one of her first "songs" she learned was "Rick Dees in the morning on KIIS FM." She was only 3 and loved listening to you, she is 29 now and still remembers singing your jingle. Then of course there was Kevin on the show once in a while as he learned to talk. :-)
We also loved Clarence and his "All My Children Update". You were the best growing into an adult and mom. Thanks for all the memories.
Cindy
My brother, Tony, was
mtnfreebird — Fri, 09/10/2010 - 20:33My brother, Tony, was stationed there at the same time.
Eagles do it a mile high
Hey Rick, This is Chet, I am
Dees Junkie — Thu, 08/05/2010 - 18:23Hey Rick,
This is Chet, I am one of your original 7 listeners from the old days on KIIS, and I am a regular listner to your TOP 40. I just wanted to say you are the best out there, have always been, and don't know what life would be without you on the air. Keep up the good work. Take care.
Hey Rick this is Luis
Dees Junkie — Sun, 07/18/2010 - 14:08Hey Rick this is Luis Alberto From Mexicali Mexico , i hear you every Sunday on K X O 107.5 FM , and you doit awesome very nice. oK Rick hear You next Sunday my friend take care bye
Wow Rick Dees! I've been
Dees Junkie — Sun, 07/18/2010 - 09:49Wow Rick Dees!
I've been listening to your show on Capital FM, Nairobi, Kenya, since I was in high school, and I totally love it. My Saturday mornings are never quite complete without the countdown...
Keep up the excellent work.
Nimo.
hey Rick it's Desmond again i
Dees Junkie — Sun, 05/30/2010 - 05:23hey Rick it's Desmond again i just wanted to say that you rock small world over here you know what i mean?lol.by the way how 'bout you give us a chance,we from outside the U.S a chance to participate in the challenge? it's costly but... i listen to on Capital fm Kenya.kudos for the good work!!
l must have my say. Rick you
Dees Junkie — Sat, 05/22/2010 - 05:26l must have my say. Rick you are the best and have influenced me positively each time l listen to your countdowns. Bede Adazie from Lagos Nigeria
With love from nigeria, but
Dees Junkie — Sun, 05/16/2010 - 14:25With love from nigeria, but you look like a pastor in that picture. ricky forever. from ERNEST ODUWA
yo tha best eva
Dees Junkie — Fri, 05/14/2010 - 03:32yo tha best eva
nodding my head to the RICK
Samconian05 — Thu, 05/06/2010 - 22:09nodding my head to the RICK Dees top 40...through HIGH school in the heart of Polynesia: SAMOA and now through University in Hawaii!!
mad alofas
from the Pacific basin :D
EVA
Big Fan from Kenya.!! Hey
Dees Junkie — Mon, 05/03/2010 - 03:21Big Fan from Kenya.!!
Hey Dees! I'm a fan who has been listening to your show for years on Capital FM Nbi. This year marks 10 years of a loyal fan. Keep it up!!!!
I never thought the show has such a big fanbase.
Gachoka.
littletailor@yahoo.com
Hey, i thought i was the only
Dees Junkie — Wed, 03/17/2010 - 22:17Hey, i thought i was the only one in love with your show, many miles from the U.S.A. Big ups Mr Dees, and may God give you courage and strength as you present to us this magnificent show, The Weekly Top 40! Am called Victor in Uganda, East Africa.
KENYAN BIG FAN love u rick
Dees Junkie — Wed, 03/03/2010 - 05:00KENYAN BIG FAN love u rick
You rock Rick!! Where can we
Dees Junkie — Thu, 01/28/2010 - 12:10You rock Rick!! Where can we hear Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 in Los Angeles?
Hi Rick, am a regular listner
Dees Junkie — Sat, 01/23/2010 - 20:44Hi Rick, am a regular listner to ur program on 96.9cool fm nigeria. you av taken entertainment to the next level i must confess...keep up the good works and hoping to c u sumday....smiles'' ALFRED from Nigeria
Hi rick,am a reguler listner
Dees Junkie — Sat, 01/23/2010 - 20:30Hi rick,am a reguler listner to your program on 96.9cool f.m nigeria. u are d best i must confess cos u have taken entertaiment to the next level. keep up the good work hopin to meet wit u sumday.............. ALFRED from Nigeria.
Hi Rick, I've been a
Dees Junkie — Fri, 11/27/2009 - 14:43Hi Rick,
I've been a listening to the WeeklyTop40 for years together and i have to say that YOUR THE BEST! My weekends at Singapore have been the best ever since i tuned in to your show on 98.7 FM.
I don't think you remember, but a few years back you played a Britney spears track -
Oops i did it again , a radio edit where your voice was featured during the part :
"But I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean in the end"
"Well baby, I went down and got it for you"
"Oh, you shouldn't have"
Rick, you added this amaizing tagline after "Oh, you shouldn't have" - "i charged it to your account!!"
You have done so many years of radio that i dont think you remember all your shows, but I remember each part of your show which i can never forget!! The weeklytop40 is a gift from heaven :) Your shows rock the airwaves!! Your the best rick....
Regards,
Julius Sharma
loyal listener from Malaysia
Dees Junkie — Thu, 11/19/2009 - 20:28loyal listener from Malaysia - HitzFM.
J.
I listen to the rick dees top
Dees Junkie — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 07:26I listen to the rick dees top 40 in peterbro canada on 99.7 fm hi
Hi rick.i always listen rick
Juoleiouz — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 00:53Hi rick.i always listen rick dees top 40 during saturdays here,and ur show rock on here,nice that we have an english fm station here,thanx for existing..from Taiwan with love! Hehehe u rock man!
Good morning bro., it's
bro.sly — Fri, 10/16/2009 - 17:02Good morning bro., it's saturday... me, 35 year old... first heard rick top 40 program thru hitzFm malaysia 3 years ago...
Good luck bro..... God Bless and be with you...
bro.sly
kuching, sarawak, malaysia
I listen to Rick in Nigeria,
Dees Junkie — Sun, 10/11/2009 - 04:39I listen to Rick in Nigeria, and wow I love his voice. You rock Rick
Hey Rick! I listen to the
Dees Junkie — Sun, 10/04/2009 - 09:08Hey Rick! I listen to the weekly top 40 every weekend! I love you!!
I was singing up for the contest for " A Christmas Carol " and it asks for your state. I'm from Canada, and it doesn't say Canada, or Ontario. Can you please tell me what to do so I can sign up? Thanks a ton!!
~ Savannah
Hi Rick My name is Valentina
Dees Junkie — Mon, 08/24/2009 - 23:12Hi Rick
My name is Valentina from Nigeria
I listen to your awe inspiring Weekly Top 40...since 1999
U rock my weekend Rick...
I do not usually say this Rick...but
I Love You Rigdon!!!
:-)
wow. im 15 and you im
Dees Junkie — Mon, 07/20/2009 - 13:48wow. im 15 and you im listening to ya from australia. wow you are far away.
I'm 50 yrs old and first
Dees Junkie — Mon, 06/29/2009 - 02:52I'm 50 yrs old and first heard rick while in high school in birmingham
he also came to some of our football pep rallies at woodlawn high school and i believe would
pose as a character named Dr. Billy Frank Birmingham
Chip clifton
Brookeland, TX
I listen to Rick in BLYTHE,
Dees Junkie — Sat, 06/27/2009 - 21:07I listen to Rick in BLYTHE, CA on channel KJMB!!! Sat. is the best!!! You are the best Rick!!!
I'm 50 years old and I have
Dees Junkie — Sat, 06/27/2009 - 06:50I'm 50 years old and I have been listening to Rick Dees since his KHJ days in Los Angeles. I've listened for every one of his 23 years at KIIS-FM. The day Rick left KIIS was the day I stopped listening to KIIS. In 1982 I was running a commercial on KIIS-FM and in the sales meeting I asked if the copy could be read by Rick Dees, You came into the meeting and said you would be happy to do the commercial. You did a great job.
I am such a fan you were like part of the family. It was like Kevin was a nephew and I always wondered what and how he was doing. It's good to see he is doine well.
Rick.com is great and I will always be a fan.
God bless you, Julie, Kevin and the rest of the family.
Rod Davis
Victorville, CA
So where can I tune in to
Dees Junkie — Thu, 06/25/2009 - 18:54So where can I tune in to hear him?
I have been listenint to
Dees Junkie — Sat, 06/13/2009 - 09:15I have been listenint to since i was in 6th grade. I am now 40 years old and when i heard you where on movin 93.9 i made sure i listen to it. But since i moved from the la area and live out in hemet california i tried main streaming you was surprised when i found out you where no long 93.9 and now all spanish speaking station. So i typed up rick dees and i am now on your on li ne w/your own place. I am now back to hearing the voice i grew up with and am in awe of your accomplishiment. Thank for the memories and more to come.
Dina Worsham
Hemet, CA
I have not known that Rick
JenniferG22 — Sun, 09/05/2010 - 04:21I have not known that Rick became the hottest property in radio when he began hosting the top rated morning radio show in Los Angeles on KIIS-FM in July of 1981. Very great and smart man I think and I wish for him a good luck in the life. Jeniffer from Minnesota.
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