Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Deaths: Casey Kasem

CASEY KASEM (Died June 15, 2014)  American Top 40 program for nearly 40 years.

I listened to his show a whole lot back in the 80s and 90s when I was deejaying.  That way I got an idea what was hot and what was not.

Born Kemal Amin Kasen in Detroit and was an announcer for Armed Forces Radio during the Korean War.  Worked at a variety of radio stations on his return including KYA in San Francisco and KRLA in Los Angeles.  Also an actor in low-budget movies and the voice of Shaggy in "Scooby-Doo."

On July 4th weekend 1970, he and his associates, including Tom Rounds (who died June 1, 2014) launched AT40, the weekly countdown of Billboard's Top 40.  It was initially a three-hour show, but later expanded to the four hour show we all know.

It was originally carried on 7 stations and eventually 200.

And, then there was his famous signoff.

"Keep Your Feet On the Ground and Keep Reaching for the Stars."

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