Radio Legend, Scooby-doo's Casey Kasem, dead at 82

[Hum]

Casey Kasem, who entertained radio listeners for almost four decades as the host of countdown shows such as "American Top 40" and "Casey's Top 40," died early Sunday, according to a Facebook post from his daughter Kerri Kasem.

 

The news was confirmed by Casey's Kasem's agent, Don Pitts, who added that a memorial service will be held Friday.

Casey Kasem was 82 and had been hospitalized in Washington state for two weeks.

"Early this Father's Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends," Kasem's children -- Kerri, Mike and Julie -- wrote in a statement released by Kasem's representative, Danny Deraney.

"Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken ... The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad."

Kasem's longtime friend, Gonzalo Venecia, and his younger brother, Mouner Kasem, were also with him when he died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington, at 3:25 a.m. Sunday, a family member said.

Casey Kasem had been suffering from Lewy body disease, the most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's.

Kasem was already a popular disc jockey in Los Angeles when he became the host of "American Top 40" in 1970. The syndicated show, which counted down the 40 most popular songs in the United States based on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 music chart, began on just seven radio stations but quickly became a mainstay of thousands, all around the world.

"When we first went on the air, I thought we would be around for at least 20 years. I knew the formula worked. I knew people tuned in to find out what the No. 1 record was," he told Variety in 1989.

Kasem's first No. 1, concluding the "AT40" premiere show of July 4, 1970, was Three Dog Night's "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)." His last on successor show "American Top 20," almost exactly 39 years later, was "Second Chance" by Shinedown.

 

He was also the voice of Shaggy in the 1970's, on Scooby-doo Mysteries cartoons by Hanna-Barbera.

 

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[DocM]

He was from Detroit, graduated from Northwestern HS and Wayne State University, and was on stations here before moving to California. Early on he had parts on The Lone Ranger and other Detroit produced radio shows, and a radio show on Armed Forces Radio.

RIP, Sir.

[+Warwagon MVC]

[Hum]

Glad he isn't being fought over by his family any more.

 

He had a great career.

 

Keep reaching for the stars Casey ...