Rick Dees Out At KHHT FM

[jasonharper2007]

Rick Dees Is Out at KHHT FM "Hot 923 FM" Radioinsight And LAradio.com Has More info

[ChannelFlipper]

Rick Dees Is Out at KHHT FM "Hot 923 FM" Radioinsight And LAradio.com Has More info

Hmmm...kinda odd, this one. It isn't clear who is telling whom goodbye, but it is somewhat surprising in that it seemed like he was helping the station move the needle a bit (this is just my perception, others with more precise data can help us with specific daypart ratings).

On the few occasions I tuned in, it seemed really pathetic because it just didn't sound like his heart was in it. I felt like I was listening to a tired shadow of Rick Dees, not the slick Top 40 jock with a lot of energy and timely bits (some of which were even funny) that I grew up with.

So let me be the first to start the (most likely untrue) rumor that CC is dismantling Hot in preparation for the new 92.3 KFI-FM. I'm so gullible, I'll actually believe it when it gets back to me! 

[pjc1961]

From the O.C. Register's Gary Lycan: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/channel-362102-clear-dees.html

Interesting move by CCM+E announcing Rick's departure the night before a holiday ("burying the story") so that outside of people in the industry + radio fans, not many in the general public may notice right away.

Although in the age of Twitter, Facebook and other web-based spreaders of "news" (or entertainment, etc.), word will still filter out - just maybe a tad slower than the norm we've recently become accustomed to.

The piece does say "Starting Monday he won't be hosting morning drive" - which may mean Rick'll get to crack the mic for 2 more live shows (Thu./Fri. 7/5-7/6 assuming he's off Wed. 7/4). Unless they're voicetracked or "best-of" shows...to be determined...

[michael hagerty]

From the O.C. Register's Gary Lycan: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/channel-362102-clear-dees.html

Interesting move by CCM+E announcing Rick's departure the night before a holiday ("burying the story") so that outside of people in the industry + radio fans, not many in the general public may notice right away.

Although in the age of Twitter, Facebook and other web-based spreaders of "news" (or entertainment, etc.), word will still filter out - just maybe a tad slower than the norm we've recently become accustomed to.

The piece does say "Starting Monday he won't be hosting morning drive" - which may mean Rick'll get to crack the mic for 2 more live shows (Thu./Fri. 7/5-7/6 assuming he's off Wed. 7/4). Unless they're voicetracked or "best-of" shows...to be determined...

They all sounded voicetracked to me. Was he doing any of them live?

[Bug on the rug]

He'll do a podcast like Leykis! 

[DavidEduardo]

Hmmm...kinda odd, this one. It isn't clear who is telling whom goodbye, but it is somewhat surprising in that it seemed like he was helping the station move the needle a bit (this is just my perception, others with more precise data can help us with specific daypart ratings).

In 25-54, on average, he was about 30% or more below the station average for other dayparts.

He was dragging the station down. I suspect he made a deal based on performance, and neither owner nor talent was happy with the outcome.

[wdb2003]

I have to admit the show actually got better later on down the road. So I guess we seen Ricks last stint in the mornings for LA?

[michael hagerty]

I have to admit the show actually got better later on down the road. So I guess we seen Ricks last stint in the mornings for LA?

I wouldn't bet on that...necessarily. KHHT hardly gave Rick the on-air latitude his fans expect or promotion needed for them to find him. I think he still could deliver for a station that knew what to do to maximize his impact.

On the other hand, the clock is ticking. It's been 8 years since KIIS-FM, he's 62, making him the second-oldest morning man in (relatively) recent memory. Robert W. Morgan died at 61. Dick Whittinghill was pushed out at 66 (and was considered ancient at the time...1979).

KRTH probably makes the most (only?) sense demographically (as it did 8 years ago, after KIIS), but I imagine KRTH's probably happy with Gary Bryan.

[jamiestarr]

I think Rick's age shouldn't be a factor really. 62 in 2012 is different than it was in 1979. It's just a number anyway. I've heard his Weekly Top 40 show and he doesn't sound "old" to me. He is more relaxed than he used to be. Obviously, Rick wasn't doing the Hot gig for the money. He's loaded and has been for years. It's a passion. If you love radio, you know the feeling. I've talked to people who have worked with Dees. Same story from each one. Nice guy. Great broadcaster but an "odd bird" at times. Michael, KRTH does make the most sense, but no place for him right now. What are your thoughts about RICK on JACK-FM?

[calguy]

Age shouldn't be a factor here, if it was then Art Laboe who is at least 20 years older than Dees would be gone too. Rick's Hot 92 show was voice tracked and as time went on it got better. But at times it was easy to tell it was tracked as some of the levels were awful with Rick getting buried at the beginning of some sets.  Not surprising as the ducking feature in Prophet only goes so far. David E says that Dees was dragging the station's numbers down, but if my memory is correct Hot started rising in the overall ratings after Dees showed up. But to those who grew up with Dees, this wasn't exactly the show they remembered and at times it showed. My guess is that it may have been under performance and money issues combined to end his time there, not that he was ever really there in the Hot studios. Amazed that Greg Ashlock actually come out from under his desk to address the subject. For all we know CC will bring in a Premium Choice jock to fill the bill for a lot cheaper than Dees.