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October 28, 2003 Rod
Roddy’s Distinctive “Come On Down” Is Silenced
Due to the 9-11
attacks on the World Trade Center towers, all surgeries were canceled that day
except for Rod’s, which was determined to be life threatening. In addition
to the tumor being removed, they extracted 13 malignant lymph nodes. For the
next two years, he fought the discovery of prostate and breast cancer. Rod had
a mastectomy earlier this year and he urged men to have a mammogram. "Rod was my
best friend,” emailed Jhani Kaye, director of AC Programming for
Clear Channel/LA. “Above and beyond that, he was an incredible broadcaster
that set the bar for television announcing. Many have attempted to
imitate his style, but there is only one Rod Roddy. With Rod's passing,
goes an era of high-profile announcers capable of also playing the role of a
featured player on camera as well. Millions of viewers - and
‘listeners’ from his radio days - will miss him." Rod
was the Ambassador for The Entertainment Industry Foundation's National
Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF NCCRA), participating in tv, radio
and print PSAs urging people to "Come On Down and Get a Colonoscopy." “When you hear the phrase 'Come on Down,' there is only one name that comes to mind - Rod Roddy. Americans came to know and love Rod's distinctive voice, but it is his heart and his spirit we will most remember. Rod selflessly devoted his last years to educating the public about colon cancer, even as he struggled with the disease that ultimately claimed his life,” said Katie Couric, co-host of the Today Show and co-founder of EIF's NCCRA. "Openly discussing his own diagnosis in PSAs, Rod focused attention on one important fact: through screening and early detection, colon cancer can be cured. We are grateful for Rod's commitment of time and energy and for his candor, which undoubtedly saved lives. He will be sorely missed." "It
could have all been avoided if I had listened to my doctor, and had a
colonoscopy at age 50," said Rod at the time. "The truth is
that it's a simple and painless procedure and it can really save your
life." A native of Ft.
Worth, Rod attended T.C.U. majoring in radio and tv. Rod was a wedding
photographer while in high school and college and appeared as a regular on a
local tv show, Teen Times with Pat
Boone. Rod started as a
dj in 1953 at KXOL-Ft. Worth. "During my lengthy broadcasting career I
was pd for both true pioneers of format radio, Todd Storz and Gordon
McLendon,” Rod told me when interviewed for Los Angeles Radio People.
His radio journey took him to WQAM-Miami, WABR-Orlando, KXLR-Little Rock, WTIX-New
Orleans, KOMA-Oklahoma City, KQV-Pittsburgh, KYW-Cleveland, WJJD-Chicago, WQXI-Atlanta,
and WKBW-Buffalo. In 1968 he returned to Dallas as morning man on KLIF and
hosted a controversial talk show with McLendon. "Our show was the
inspiration for Oliver Stone's Talk
Radio." Rod
returned to Southern California in 1972 to program KOST and he hosted a
syndicated show "On A Clear Day" featuring guests from the
world of the occult. In 1974, he initiated his new career in voiceover
work. He was the voice of ABC's Soap,
which ran for four years. Rod was the announcer on a number of game
shows including Whew, Battle
Stars, So You Think You've
Got Troubles, Hit Man and
Press Your Luck. He was the
announcer on Love Connection
for the first four years before joining Bob Barker on The
Price Is Right. Two months ago, Rod taped segments for the 32nd
season of the longest running game in television history. Rod was Bob
Barker's sidekick "on camera" announcer for 18 years, longer
than any other announcer. He hosted The
$25,000 Game Show for two seasons at the Roy Clark Theater in
Branson, Missouri. Internationally, Rod is the official ambassador of
Chaing Mai, Thailand and traveled frequently to Southeast Asia to create
his colorful Thai silk wardrobe featured on The
Price Is Right. He also worked at KGBS and KDAY in 1967. Rod was 66. “I just
learned the heartbreaking news of Rod Roddy's death,” emailed Matt
Johnson. “What a loss to everyone who knew him and those like me
brought him into our television sets every morning at 10 a.m. - his
signature voice, his flashy clothes, his personality, his everything. I
felt like I have known him for years, but only through the tv. The
Price is Right will never be the same again. Rest in Peace, Rod
Roddy, we will miss you terribly,” concluded Johnson. “I just received your email bulletin with the sad news that Rod Roddy has passed away,” wrote Bryan Simmons of KBIG. “I am truly saddened. He was a fine gentleman and a consummate professional. We only had the chance to speak briefly at the many occasions that brought us together over the years, and he never failed to make me feel like a friend. He'll be greatly missed by all of us that were lucky enough to know him. My deepest sympathies to the great circle of those who called him friend.” |