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Why Casey Kasem Was the Nerd Leader of Pop Music Geeks
Slate ^ | 6/16/2014 | Chris Molanphy

Posted on 06/16/2014 3:59:18 PM PDT by iowamark

The first time I can recall hearing Casey Kasem count down the hits on American Top 40 was on a Sunday in June 1981. Just shy of 10 and in the car with my cousins driving to the beach, I asked them to stop flipping the radio when they landed on Kasem, who was just a couple of songs away from revealing that week’s No. 1 hit. I’d glimpsed Kasem once or twice before that, on America’s Top 10, the television version of his countdown show, which ran on Saturdays after cartoons ended. But hearing Casey on the radio that Sunday, doing the full Top 40 show, was what hooked me.

The prior week, Casey explained, Kim Carnes’s summer smash “Bette Davis Eyes” had been ejected from the top spot after five weeks on top; it had been overtaken by a bizarre dance medley of old pop songs that went by the name “Stars on 45.” But, Kasem teased, “Bette” wasn’t out of the picture yet; maybe it could come back. I knew who I was rooting for. I made my cousins stay on the station—they poked fun at me the whole time for being wrapped up in this drama—until Kasem revealed that Carnes’s hit had indeed returned to No. 1. (“Bette Davis Eyes” wound up on top four more weeks, nine in all, solidifying its status as the top song of 1981.)

Obviously my rooting interest in the outcome was based in my tween love for the Carnes song, plus my enjoyment of anything involving numbers. But the drama—that was all Casey.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: casykasem; kasem; music; nerds

1 posted on 06/16/2014 3:59:18 PM PDT by iowamark
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To: iowamark

Dana Carvey does a great impersonation of Casey.


2 posted on 06/16/2014 4:00:35 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican
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To: iowamark

He really was great radio. Made the songs come to life.


3 posted on 06/16/2014 4:03:13 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper
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To: iowamark

Rest in Hell ...

Casey Kasem, Anti-American, Anti-Israel Creep, Buh-Bye – RIH

So, radio disc jockey Casey Kasem is dead at 82. No tears from me. As recent readers will note, I pointed out that Kasem has a long history of anti-American, Israel-hating activism, which includes support for HAMAS and its terrorist activity against Israel.

Kasem supported Islamic terrorists and publicly opposed Israel’s efforts to fight them, every step of the way. Kemal Amin Kasem (his real name) was a Druze Arab who was a constant presence at Arab and Muslim rallies and events against Israel. He was also a frequent participant in anti-American protests. He was a darling of the left. Read all the details here.

It is fitting that Kasem–who was suffering from Parkinson’s and dementia–spent his last months being dragged back and forth in a traumatic family feud between his children from his first marriage and his second wife. I am glad that he experienced even a fraction of a fraction of a tiny modicum of the trauma and terror he wished upon Jews and Israelis. What goes around comes around.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/72484/casey-kasem-anti-american-anti-israel-creep-buh-bye/


4 posted on 06/16/2014 4:03:27 PM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: Star Traveler

Couldn’t stand him, regardless of his political views.

He was awful radio.

JMO


5 posted on 06/16/2014 4:09:08 PM PDT by Peter W. Kessler
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To: iowamark

He had a fairly unique voice and was good at memorizing celebrity trivia. Big deal.


6 posted on 06/16/2014 4:25:11 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: Star Traveler
You have as much love for Kasem as I have for DeLay.

Slam away!

7 posted on 06/16/2014 4:44:44 PM PDT by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: Peter W. Kessler
Couldn’t stand him, regardless of his political views.

He was awful radio.

JMO

Finally someone with some musical taste. Heard him a little when I was a kid. Couldn't stand the schmaltzy over-dramatic schtick built around a lot of crap music. Yuck.

8 posted on 06/16/2014 4:47:08 PM PDT by Hardastarboard (Please excuse the potholes in this tagline. Social programs have to take priority in our funding.)
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To: iowamark

Casey Kasem taught a generation the power of optimism and kindness


9 posted on 06/16/2014 6:00:40 PM PDT by bigbob (The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. Abraham Lincoln)
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To: iowamark

Casey really was the DJ to the soundtrack of my youth.

RIP Mr. Kasem, you will be missed. And thank you!


10 posted on 06/16/2014 6:18:23 PM PDT by AFreeBird
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To: iowamark

I liked Casey Kasem but IMHO there were a number of things wrong with both the idea and execution of Top 40 music shows.


11 posted on 06/16/2014 6:58:20 PM PDT by wideminded
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To: iowamark

He read my long disatn e dedication on 4/6/83, so I have a fond memory of the show.


12 posted on 06/16/2014 7:17:44 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("If youÂ’re litigating against nuns, youÂ’ve probably done something wrong."-Ted Cruz)
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To: Dr. Sivana
RIP coast to coast, Casey.

ff

13 posted on 06/17/2014 5:19:08 AM PDT by foreverfree
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To: wideminded
IMHO there were a number of things wrong with both the idea and execution of Top 40 music shows.

Let's see'em.

ff

14 posted on 06/17/2014 5:20:35 AM PDT by foreverfree
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