Thursday, January 22, 2015

L-A Radio: Rick Dees To Be Honored

Rick Dees is set to be honored by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters on Jan. 23.

According to Richard Wagoner at the L-A Daily News, the group’s president, Chuck Street — who happens to be Dees’ longtime traffic reporter from his days at KIIS-FM (102.7) — will present the Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award at the group’s luncheon at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City.

It was 1979 when Dees landed in Los Angeles, first at KHJ 930 AM and then for almost a quarter century at KIIS 102.7 FM.

Dees defined Top 40 morning radio in Los Angeles for a generation of listeners in an era when many thought the format was dead. His impact at KHJ was minimal due to owner RKO’s decision to change the format to country just when master programmer Chick Martin was hitting his stride, writes Wagoner.

But at KIIS, surrounded by a supportive general manager, Wally Clark, programmer Gerry DeFrancisco, a “cast of idiots” that included the talented Liz Fulton, Dees’ own wife Julie and more, and an air staff of talent seldom seen in the same building — including Big Ron O’Brien, Paul Freeman and Bruce Vidal among others — Dees helped lead a revolution.

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