Dave Dixon (1939-1999)
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Birthplace:
Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Born:
May 1, 1939
Died:
May 30, 1999
Dave Dixon was known as the Culture Czar. His last job was broadcasting from the "Tesla Center in beautiful downtown Southfield." He was once the lead DJ of the legendary "Air Aces" on Detroit's rock station WABX. Dixon was a major influence on Detroit's FM revolution in the late 1960s. Dixon was a radio pioneer in Detroit who was among the first to play The Doors, Hendrix, Blind Faith, Iron Butterfly, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and many other artists now taken for granted in pop culture. Dixon also had a co-writing credit on Peter, Paul and Mary's hit tune "I Dig Rock & Roll Music." Dixon left WABX in 1974. He spent ten years in Miami; where he hosted a popular overnight movie program (The Dave Dixon Show). His television show was on Channel 51 which broadcast from Hollywood, Florida. Dixon would introduce the movies each night (usually two movies and one fill-in episode of any number of old television shows) with a little critique of what he saw as the highlights and the flaws of the particular movie. Then he would take phone calls after the commercial breaks and he would discuss the movies with the callers. Often he would have some animated discussions with the callers regarding the movies or almost any other issue that came up. In effect, Dixon was hosting a talk show about movies! Sometimes callers would receive prizes such at radios, television sets, or other merchandise from The Dave Dixon Show's sponsors. In 1985, he landed at the Detroit public radio station (WDET) where his gruff, cynical radio persona won him a loyal audience. However, his frequent confrontations with management led to his eventual firing. In 1996, AM talk station WXYT hired him to host "Dave Dixon's Radio Magazine" where he talked about Detroit's arts community. He transferred his gruff, no-nonsense attitude to a good-vibes community forum, where he often reminisced with his friends from the 1960s rock music scene. Dave Dixon died of a heart attack on Memorial Day in 1999.