After becoming diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in the
mid-2000s, Kasem was eventually placed on end-of-life measures at a hospital by
his daughter Kerri at the beginning of June 2014.
The disc jockey began his career during the Korean War as an
announcer on the Armed Forces Radio Korea Network in the U.S. Army.
When he returned home, Kasem worked at several radio stations across the country before starting the weekly “American Top 40” show in July 1970 out of California as a way to provide listeners with the most popular songs in the nation.
When he returned home, Kasem worked at several radio stations across the country before starting the weekly “American Top 40” show in July 1970 out of California as a way to provide listeners with the most popular songs in the nation.
“I really don't think it's that I have a God-given voice
that's so special. I just found a showcase that made good use of my particular
voice. It's all storytelling,” the icon said
in a 1990 New York Times profile.
Kasem regularly provided rare anecdotes and facts about musicians, and he credited a copy of “Who’s Who in Pop Music” that he found in a trash can for inspiring the bits of trivia he so often shared on the air waves. He ended every show with his sign-off “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”
For his efforts, the DJ was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as inductions into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
In addition to “Scooby-Doo,” Kasem lent his
vocal talents to numerous other animated series, including “Super Friends,” “The
Transformers” and “Josie and the Pussycats.”
Ryan Seacrest, who succeeded Kasem as the host of “American
Top 40” in 2004, reflected
upon Kasem’s passing:
“When I was a kid, I would listen to Casey Kasem’s AT40 show every weekend, and dream about someday becoming a radio DJ ... Casey had a distinctive friendly on-air voice, and he was just as affable and nice if you had the privilege to be in his company. He’ll be greatly missed by all of us.”
“When I was a kid, I would listen to Casey Kasem’s AT40 show every weekend, and dream about someday becoming a radio DJ ... Casey had a distinctive friendly on-air voice, and he was just as affable and nice if you had the privilege to be in his company. He’ll be greatly missed by all of us.”
Even though Kasem retired from radio permanently in 2009,
fans who wish to reminisce and listen to his previous shows can tune in by downloading
the free iHeartRadio mobile
app, and selecting the “Classic American Top 40” station which
offers former broadcasts from the 1970s and 1980s.
“It's still interesting to me that I came up with an old
idea and even language that was archaic,” said Kasem, “but I believed the idea
of the countdown and the appeal of the stories would never die.”
Here’s what fellow industry professionals,
musicians and performers had to say in remembrance:
Author: Brian Cameron
RIP DJ Casey Kasem. One of the greats of American radio.
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) June 15, 2014
Long before MTV and the internet #CaseyKasem made sure you were hearing the best music out there. Peace be to his family and RIP. #Respect
— Carson Daly (@CarsonDaly) June 15, 2014
RIP Casey Kasem who inspired all of us in radio & turned millions of people onto music.Sending love to @KerriKasem, family and friends.
— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) June 15, 2014
We've lost a music industry icon. Chngd the industry w/AT40 Cntdwn. RIP Casey Kasem. "Keep ur feet on the grnd & keep reaching 4🌟s"
— Marie Osmond (@marieosmond) June 15, 2014
Author: Brian Cameron
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