Simon Dee, the first voice to be heard on Radio Caroline in 1964, has died of bone cancer at the age of 74. Mr Dee (whose real name was Cyril Henty-Dodd) left Radio Caroline in 1965 after being ‘head hunted’ by the BBC who gave him a show on the Light Programme. He also did some programmes for Radio Luxembourg. He was one of the original DJs on BBC Radio 1 which launched in 1967.
The same year, Simon Dee became a TV chat show host on the BBC, but his career was relatively brief due to a dispute over his salary demands. He moved to London Weekend Television, but fell out with them too after only a few months. This ended his show business career, and he signed on at the labour exchange and took a job as bus driver. In 1974, he served 28 days in prison because he could not pay the rates on his home to the council.
He did make a couple of brief comebacks on radio: In the late 1970’s he was with Radio 210 in Reading, and a decade later he hosted an oldies programme on BBC Radio 2. But for the last two decades, he lived in anonymity in a small apartment in Winchester.
In my opinion, Simon Dee’s contribution to broadcasting is grossly underestimated. In 1964, while fellow Radio Caroline DJs seemed to be going through the motions of announcing the records, Simon Dee always brought a spontaneity to his shows, which were broadcast live. He set the pattern for the way offshore radio, and subsequently radio in general, developed in the UK. He was ill-advised to go into television, and had he chosen to stay in radio I feel sure he would have remained popular like his fellow ex-Caroline DJ Johnnie Walker.
R.I.P.
on Aug 30th, 2009 at 19:42
I was saddened to hear the news today. I knew him pretty well back in the 60s - the days of floral patterned shirts and dodgy ties!
Somewhat surprised that they did not ask Terry Wogan for comments as he, too, was there for the launch of Radio One. It took over from the Light programme once the beeb gave in to the demands of the youthful public for far more needle time.
BH was awash with former pirates as they were the ones who had been giving the public what they wanted to listen to. Prior to the pirates all that was available was Radio Luxemburg - listened to under the blankets, late at bight. for a menu mainly filled with American singles stuff along with skiffle.
I completely agree with the comment in the article that, had Dee stuck to Radio, he would not have vanished from sight in the way he did.
Surely his real first name was Carl??
Miranda Ward
formerly on Radio One’s Scene & Heard doing interviews - heady days indeed!
on Aug 30th, 2009 at 19:54
Thanks Miranda. I thought his first name was Carl too. I will change the text. So much for relying on information in Wikipedia and not trusting my own memory
on Aug 30th, 2009 at 22:00
Andy, I agree with your comments - his contribution to radio has been badly underestimated. Pity he moved to television. As too his real name, I have seen it in various sources as being both Carl and Cyril.
on Aug 30th, 2009 at 23:08
Simon Dee also had a go at becoming a pop record singer with the 1969 release of a charming Les Reed/Barry Mason ballad - Julie - which Decca put out on its Chapter One label. Dee’s tentative vocals somehow added to the appeal of the song, but it didn’t chart.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 00:11
Sad at his death and sad that his talent shone so briefly. Oh the days of Caroline and Lux, with little trannies ( they were radios!) with bright coloured snap on covers. And I also loved Simon’s TV show - maybe the first irreverent TV chat show host, epitomising the 60s with his daring unconventional banter. Bow to the master Ross et al.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 05:20
Sad to heard of his passing.
Often over looked for his impact on radio development. Also sad that the Obits in other places discribe him as chat show host. He was a radio person really. He was far better on Radio.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:39
>> surprised that they did not ask Terry Wogan for comments
I believe Terry (a BBC Radio 2 presenter whose breakfast show is a consistent ratings number one) is on his hols at the moment.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 11:34
Email from Roger Day to members of his shows Facebook group:
“Start with the sad news of the death of Simon Dee. I was lucky enough to hear that first broadcast from Radio Caroline. It changed not only my life but millions of others. For the first time we had a radio station that played our music all day long. He was the inspiration for me to follow the dream. What a pity he never got the support he deserved from the industry he kick started.
Tonight (Monday) for the first hour starting earlier at 18.00 UK time I’ll be paying tribute.”
IIRC because his shows on Bank Holidays start one hour earlier than usual the first hour gets missed off Listen Again. His shows are carried on many BBC local radio stations in the South of England, listen online via BBC Radio Kent:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlive/bbc_radio_kent/
on Oct 15th, 2009 at 11:53
His name was CYRIL NICHOLAS HENTY-DODD - NOT CARL! And he died on Saturday 29th. August just before midday - not 30th. as most of the obits. give.
I am his third wife, mother of his youngest son, George, and so do know these facts to be true! Don’t trust or believe most of what you might have read in the obits in the national newspapers about the past 20 years of his his life - they were happy and sociable years and he had a good life right to the all too premature end of it.
on Oct 15th, 2009 at 12:00
Thank you Judith. I originally wrote Cyril, but was then persuaded to change it. I have now changed it back. And thanks for your upbeat comments about the last 20 years of his life. I am pleased to hear that they were happy and sociable - he deserved it.
on Oct 16th, 2009 at 11:34
Thanks for your comments, Andy. I was particularly enraged by the obit in the Daily Mail, describing him as a lonely, embittered recluse - nothing could be further from the truth! He shared in the upbringing of our son, George, and we lived just yards from each other even after our amicable divorce. He played tennis and football with George, went around to his tournaments, came on holiday with us abroad - did all the usual father things, in fact. There was life for him without the media - and he had many friends and close family as was in evidence at the memorial service for him last Friday in Winchester. We miss him terribly.
on Nov 3rd, 2009 at 20:47
Tragic that Simon lost his t.v. career.I think the B.B.C. treated him like dirt after the viewing figures he brought & I.T.V. treated him worse ! Sadly today the B.B.C. contiue to throw ridiculous amounts of money at the likes of Jonathan Ross no matter what he says & does to offend the viewers.Many viewers dont want him on any more.Simon never upset his viewers & the public didnt want him to go.Shame on the B.B.C. Also Ray Coleman recently said Simon “couldnt do it & wasnt a journalist like Parkinson”.Well Ray,neither is Ross,Norton,Evans, Danny Baker or even Wogan ! For someone who “couldnt do it” he did it successfully for three years REALLY live,not like the recorded & edited shows of Ross etc.Truth is too many above were jealous of his success & popularity