Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz honored longtime WCCO Radio host Dave Lee following a 30-year run at the station that ended on Friday. The 67-year-old began his radio career at the age of 18.
“Dave Lee is a titan of Minnesota radio,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “With his signature warm demeanor, he has provided Minnesotans with countless hours of information and entertainment over his decades-long career at WCCO radio. I have fond memories with Dave over the years, especially at the ‘CCO radio booth at the State Fair. He will be sorely missed on Minnesota’s airwaves.”
During an interview with Lee on Friday, Walz made a surprising proclamation by declaring the day, Dave Lee Day.
“Dave is everything you would want a morning show host to be,” said Jimmy Erickson, Lee’s producer at WCCO. “He’s knowledgeable, warm, genuine, and has a wonderful voice and delivery. What you hear on the radio is what Dave Lee is like as a person.”
Lee first joined WCCO-AM as a weekend and fill-in host and gradually became part of the Charlie Boone and Roger Erickson morning show.
During his career he also did play-by-play for the Minnesota Gophers and filled in as a Minnesota Twins announcer from 1991 to 1996.
Lee’s career accolades include being named Minnesota’s Sportscaster of the Year six times and winning three Emmy Awards for his television work.
“There were always a million things to do,” Lee said. “I went to almost all the traveling musicals in town. If I went to bed at 7 each night, who knows what’s going to happen – a Twins ‘game, a breaking news story, ‘The Lion King.’ I was sleep-deprived for many, many years, but I felt I couldn’t afford to miss anything.”