Dr. Demento Retiring From Practice
• Last Tuesday, June 17, the legendary “Dr. Demento” announced his impending retirement, wrapping up a 55-year career as a radio personality known for championing novelty, comedy, and bizarre music. The announcement came during the final regular episode of The Dr. Demento Show, with the good doctor, born Barret Hansen stating, “I’m now 84 years old, and I have been doing this show for nearly 55 years… about two-thirds of my life. It’s been a blast, but I have come to the decision that I need to hang up my top hat soon.”
The show, which launched in October 1970 on KPPC/Pasadena, will formally conclude with its 55th anniversary installment on October 11, 2025, preceded by a special series of bi-weekly episodes revisiting classic segments and key moments from the archive, all leading up to the grand finale, which will highlight the top 40 songs in the show’s five-decade history.
As reported by The Orange Country Register, Hansen first adopted the “Dr. Demento” moniker in 1970 while spinning oddball records, comedy cuts, and forgotten vinyl deep cuts. The show quickly evolved into a nationally known staple, running on rock stations like KROQ and the late, legendary KMET/Los Angeles, where it introduced generations of listeners to offbeat musical curiosities. In 2010, the weekly broadcast ended its radio run and transitioned to a digital-only format, where Hansen continued to produce new episodes with the help of longtime collaborators.
Although the format and frequency have changed in recent years, the program has remained a constant source of archival humor and outsider artistry. Hansen’s departure marks the end of one of the longest-running and most distinctive programs in American radio history.
The good news is, Dr. Demento’s complete archive will continue to be available for streaming at drdemento.com, allowing his legions of fans to revisit decades of musical mayhem long after the show signs off. [Special thanks to @60sPsychJukebox]
