1 of 1- RadioActive
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Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
His name is Rick Dees and while he's never been a DJ in Canada, you've likely heard of him. He's hosted syndicated radio shows and became a famous name on radio, working in Los Angeles, amongst other markets.
He had a one-off hit in 1976, a novelty record called "Disco Duck," which got him heard on stations across North America. But it was his only recording (a terrible one at that) and for the most part, his stardom came from being in radio.
So I was somewhat amused when Parade Magazine ran a headline celebrating his birthday with this ridiculous headline:
Beloved ’70s Singer, With Classic No. 1 Hit Song, Turns 76
"Beloved 70's singer?" With one hit to his name? Do they really believe that is Dees' true claim to fame?
- Shorty Wave
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Re: Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
I think that whoever wrote this article had not heard “Disco Duck”, possibly one of the worse singles of the 70s, although it did put Dees in the international spotlight, I heard/hated Disco Duck while living overseas, go figure.
- RadioActive
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Re: Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
I think even he'd admit it is not his finest moment.
In case you missed it, here's the crazy story about how he couldn't get his own song played on his own station - or anywhere else in the market.
When A DJ Couldn't Play His Own Song
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Thread Starter- Radiowiz
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Re: Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
Hey? Was that really Donald Duck in the Disco Duck song?
- ig
- Iain Grant
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Re: Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
RadioActive wrote:
I think even he'd admit it is not his finest moment.
He's said before his 'not finest moment' was turning down the opportunity to have Disco Duck on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, his agent figured it could do better on its own.
Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.
- paterson1
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Re: Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
Disco Duck helped to give AM radio a second rate low brow image. I believe Dees did host his weekly top 40 show on some Canadian stations. Maybe he still does.
- mace
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Re: Distorted Headline Marks Famed DJ's 76th Birthday
When Disco Duck topped the Hot 100 in October 1976, it was the fifth consecutive Disco record to peak at #1. The others were You Should Be Dancing/Shake Your Booty/Play That Funky Music/A Fifth of Beethoven. Dees released three additional singles. The followup to Duck, Dis-Gorilla #56, Bigfoot #110 and Eat My Shorts #75.