Casey Kasem

Mention the name Casey Kasem, and music lovers from around the world will think of radio’s biggest countdown show. In fact, Casey was the man that set the standard for all countdown shows, with his weekly program American Top 40.

Casey’s reach was broad, extending to millions of listeners. From counting down the hits to offering listeners long-distance dedications, Casey’s style and approach are summed up in his trademark phrase: “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” The man who once dreamed of being a baseball player, but ended up as a radio sports announcer in high school, has since become the youngest member ever inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. He had his own star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. And in 1997, Billboard Magazine presented him with its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. Clearly, Casey’s friendly ‘crackling’ voice had taken him to the top of his profession.

Over the years, Casey also worked as a character actor in films and TV shows, as well as countless voice-over commercials and Saturday morning cartoon shows like the long running Scooby Doo.

On June 15, 2014, Kasem passed away at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington at the age of 82.

American Top 40 – The 80s originates from Hollywood and is provided by Premiere Networks.