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Dave Lee

J

jcmccoy

Guest
I was told Friday night from a coworker of Dave's at Radio Shack that Dave is in the hospital and gravely ill. Reportedly, they have taken him off of life support. I just wanted anyone who may know Dave or know of Dave to be briefed on this as much as possible. For those that may not know Dave, he spent many years at 55KRC doing middays, sandwiched in between Jerry Thomas and Rich King. Dave was noted for doing impressions, in fact, even fooling the NFL commisioner at that time that he was Bengal coach Forrest Gregg on the phone. This lead to a live appearance on Good Morning America.

I will be sure to update when I get more word of whats going on. I wanted to especially make sure that folks like Jack Stahl, Bobby Leach,Dusty,Dan Allen,Jerry Thomas and others who worked with Dave are made aware of Dave's situation. I have no word yet on what hospital is involved. I know he had a recent bout with his heart that put him on the sidelines for awhile, but he recovered from that to only wind up getting ill again.
 
I can't express my sincerest wishes and prayers for Dave's wife Carol and of course Dave. Dave is one of those unique characters you come across in this business that populates your memory long after others have been forgotten. The airstaff of 55krc was formidable in the early 80's and probably one of the best staffs ever assembled in Cincy under one roof.
Management
Randy Michaels OM
Ted McAllister PD
Dan Allen MD/APD
John Phillips resident terrorist (we need more these days)

Air Staff
Jerry Thomas Mornings
Dave Lee & Company Mid-Days
Rich King Afternoons
Ted McAlister Music Magazine
Alan Browning- Talk
Joe Lomas Overnights. (The most fun overnight show ever)
Bob (The Producer) Berry Prod Director an Insane inspiration

Part Time/Weekends
Dusty Rhodes
Jack Stahl
Dan Allen Dial a hit

News-
Richard Hunt
Nia Carter
Bob(Robert) Bauer
Bill Tonnis
Don Jensen
Terry Daly to name a few.. (It was fully staffed)
John Phillips Traffic

Sports
Phil Samp (the best ever Bengals Play by Play)
Paul Sommerkamp, Sommerkamp (those who went to the Reds game know that last part)
Mike Hoffbauer

Me, Tony Bender, Dave Mason, Larry Davis, Bill Cunningham and it goes on and on.

Dave and Carol my best to you.
 
Jeesh: I forgot to Mention Rockin' Ron Schumacher. He made Wolkman Jack sound live In Cincy. There still is a woman in the tri-state that swears as a young girl the Wolfman asked her to play "hide the weinnie".
 
Dave Bunce aka Dave Lee, passed away Sunday morning at 3AM from cardiac arrest at Mercy-MtAiry in Cincinnati. I got the word tonight from Radio Shack as his wife Carol informed all of his co workers there of his passing. Carol said the services will be held at Dave's church which is the Fellowship Baptist Church on Bridgetown Road. She said to watch the newspaper for the official obit and services information. I was lucky to maintain a good friendship with Dave after we both left Radio and even did a couple of gigs together recently. To watch Dave entertain a live crowd was very impressive. He lived to entertain people and really enjoyed performing. Dave just didnt show up and spin records, rather he took the time to entertain between those records with props and costumes and really did put on a show. I really wish Dave would have had the chance to further his radio career, but he made the most out of life after radio. Godspeed Dave, say Hi To Rich and Joe and the gang and thank you for your friendship.
 
I'm sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He was a big part of a legendary radio station and so many of these talents have left us too soon. The memories have flooded back this week of Dave, his air guitar (usually only during an Elvis song), the voices and how he read the labels I put on the songs verbatim. I remember putting Harold Calvin & The Blue Notes on the cart for "If you Don't Know Me" as a joke. Randy didn't think it was so darn funny when Dave read it that way on the air.

My sympathies to Carol and the rest of Dave's family and friends. He came a long way from Saylor Park to the big time in Cincinnati and Houston. He will be missed.

Dan Allen
 
David Lee Bunce, in Rock and Roll Heaven. Their gain, our loss. I've got more Dave Lee stories than I can even count. The time he displayed his big heart (after airing some kind of "blind" psa) - to the next caller who was vision-impaired. Trouble is, it was a pair of movie passes. The Forrest Greg bit -the funniest.
The endless PA announcements at 55KRC in the weeks after Randy (et al) left for WLW. (Not only Dave, but Rich King and anyone else who could find the PA dial-up).

His never ending bits. Never ending voices. After I had left 'KRC, there came a time (when I was in Buffalo) that someone was looking for character voices. First name that came to mind? Dave Lee. I called and reassured him he was the guy they might want. Again and again. (He was a little worried after getting burned by some broadcasters-including 'KRC and 'GRR.).... on the first call he was just plain old Dave Lee. We wrapped up that call and about 5 minutes later I called back . . he answered the phone "Dave Lee Productions". He was rarin' and ready to go.

I hired Dave again at WSAI in the late 90's -part-time. He didn't miss a beat. He grasped the digital stuff with no problem.....but again most people misunderstood his unusual characteristics. Too bad. I hosted a party one New Year's Eve (1998-1999), and Dave showed up - no pay for this one - did Elvis, did his usual schtick . . and for once, he was the ol' Dave Lee we knew and loved.

I'll remember more- -but it will take awhile to get over this one.


All he wanted to do was play the hits, and be someone else. A lot of someones.
 
I was working at WSAI in the mid-late 90's and I am proud to say that I got to make Dave's aquaintence. My prayers go out to his family.
 
I had my first radio news job at KRC in during the Dave Lee years. I can say, without reservation, that I will never forget him! My condolences to Carol.
 
Ever since they went on the air, I've enjoyed listening to WDJO and getting to know the legendary air personalities that rocked the Queen City when I was a boy, living too far away from the city to pick up anything other than WLW.

I'm sorry we lost another legend, and selfishly sorry that I never got to hear what got him that status.

RIP, Dave.
 
Dangerous said:
The memories have flooded back this week of Dave, his air guitar (usually only during an Elvis song), the voices and how he read the labels I put on the songs verbatim. I remember putting Harold Calvin & The Blue Notes on the cart for "If you Don't Know Me" as a joke. Randy didn't think it was so darn funny when Dave read it that way on the air.

---
Dan, Wes Wright and I would have a running joke with the Harold Calvin and the Blue Notes joke back in TKR Cable days.

Ironic that Dave would die within 2 weeks of Elvis' passing date.

Bobby....add a couple to the list: Rex Dale, John Twaddell, Scott Shively and Cynthia Keller.
Click to expand...
 
I'm starting to get some details now about Dave's arrangements. Its Wednesday, visitation from 10a-12n at Faith Friendship Baptist Church on Bridgetown rd near Powner rd. The service will be from 12-1 then burial immediately thereafter at a cemetery in Cleves. Carol said to watch the Enquirer on Tuesday for specific details. She appears to be holding up OK considering the circumstances. I honestly cant believe I'm typing this right now about Dave. Unbelievable......
 
Dave Mason....how are you? I've read your post about Dave now about a dozen times and it keeps bringing tears to my eyes. Very well said and I hope you're doing fine......
 
I didn't know Dave, but I certainly heard him on the air when I worked in Cincinnati.

A very talented guy...my condolences to his family.
 
I only knew Dave Lee by his airwork on 55KRC. The last time I heard him was his Sunday Night shift on WLW before the full switch to talk. Condolences to his family.
 
He was awesome. For those of us who were fortunate enough to have grown up
listening to him...its indeed a sad day.
 
:(

Alas, I barely have a recollection of his work as my Mom was a big fan, even here in Dayton, but I was not old enough to enjoy. He was part of a Golden Era of Radio in the Cincinnati-Dayton area. I hope it is not to crass to ask, but are there any airchecks of the great work of this wonderful man? I would love to be able to enjoy some of his work, in this sad time. Prayers to his family and obviously by the response on this site, to all his friends and co-workers as well.

It reminds me of some of the greats in the Dayton market as well who have passed on, including the great Lou Emm, whom I was fortunate enough to have worked with. What an era of radio, as compared with the crap we have polluting the airwaves now.
 
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