Rigdon Osmond “Rick” Dees III (born March 14, 1950) is an American radio personality, stand-up comedian, celebrity, and voice artist, famous for his internationally-syndicated radio show “The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown” and for the 1976 novelty song “Disco Duck”. Dees is a People’s Choice Award receiver, a Grammy-nominated performing artist, and Program Hall of Fame inductee. He composed two tunes that appear in the movie “Saturday Night Fever”, plus performed the title tune for the movie “Meatballs”.
After 23 years on radio station KIIS FM, Dees left in 2004 because of a contract dispute, and he was replaced by Ryan Seacrest. On April 15, 2009, Movin 93.9 altered structure, blowing off its radio personalities and altering the structure to Spanish Modern or Spanish Hits. Dees has continued his Weekly Top 40 show each week , and it has hosted The Daily Dees, a four-hour noon show, Monday through Friday on stations throughout America. From May 4, 2011, until July 6, 2012, Dees hosted the morning show at R&B oldies station (and sister station of KIIS FM) KHHT, “Hot 92.3” in Los Angeles, as well as his national day-to-day program “Daily Dees.” Throughout his long career, Dees has garnered many accolades, such as the prestigious Marconi Award, induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame, as well as the National Association of Broadcasters Hall Of Fame. In 1984, he received a Grammy Award nomination because of his comedy record Hurt Me Baby — Get Me Write Bad Checks and has since received the Grammy Governor’s Award. His other comedy records — I am Not Crazy, Rick Dees’ Greatest Hit (The White Album), and Put It Where The Moon Don’t Shine have also appreciated global success.
Rigdon Osmond Dees III , Rigdon Osmond Dees , Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots , Rigdon Osmond "Rick" Dees III , Rick Dees III , Rick
Albums
Hurt Me Baby Make Me Write Bad Checks!
Star Sign
Pisces
#
Fact
1
Received his Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1972).
2
Attended and graduated from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina (1968).
3
Named morning radio host of KHHT 92.3 FM in Los Angeles, California. [March 2012]
4
Named morning show host of Movin 93.9 FM in Los Angeles, California. [August 2006]
5
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 1560 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on September 17, 1984.
6
Was replaced with entertainment personality Ryan Seacrest from his 20 year position in radio, as producers for his show wanted to go with someone younger. [January 2004]
7
Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1999 and the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2007.
8
As Rick Dees and his Cast of Idiots, he hit #1 on the Billboard Charts in 1976 with the song "Disco Duck".
9
(1983-present) Counts down two different versions (Contemporary Hit Radio and Hot AC) of "The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40" on international radio.
10
He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care".
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dan Savage's New Threat to Rick Santorum
2011
Short
The Young and the Restless
2008
TV Series
Bartender
Diagnosis Murder
1996
TV Series
Rick Dees
Burke's Law
1994
TV Series
Married with Children
1994
TV Series
Rick Dees
Roseanne
1992
TV Series
Ken
Jetsons: The Movie
1990
Rocket Rick Ragnarok (voice)
The Flintstone Kids
1986-1988
TV Series
Additional Voices
La Bamba
1987
Ted Quillin
The Gladiator
1986
TV Movie
Garth Masters
Pink Panther and Sons
1984
TV Series
Additional Voices
The Greatest American Hero
1983
TV Series
Announcer
The Gary Coleman Show
1982
TV Series
Additional Voices
Stanley, the Ugly Duckling
1982
TV Short
D.J. (voice)
The Love Boat
1982
TV Series
Melvin
Strike Force
1982
TV Series
Lothario
Top Ten
1980
TV Movie
Casper and the Angels
1979
TV Series voice
Record City
1978
Gordon
Days of Our Lives
1965
TV Series
Ricardo Diaz (1999)
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Live Fearless
2011
TV Series
Cigars!: The New Rage!
1996
Video documentary written by
Into the Night
TV Series creator - 6 episodes, 1990 - 1991 writer - 6 episodes, 1990 - 1991
Solid Gold
TV Series 10 episodes, 1984 - 1985 writer - 1 episode, 1984
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Cinema Snob
2016
TV Series performer - 1 episode
One Hit Wonderland
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012