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 weeks No. 1 hit. Id glimpsed Kasem once or twice before that, on Americas 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 Carness 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 wasnt out of the picture yet; maybe it could come back. I knew who I was rooting for. I made my cousins stay on the stationthey poked fun at me the whole time for being wrapped up in this dramauntil Kasem revealed that Carness 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 dramathat was all Casey.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
Dana Carvey does a great impersonation of Casey.
He really was great radio. Made the songs come to life.
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 Israels 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 Kasemwho was suffering from Parkinsons and dementiaspent 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/
Couldn’t stand him, regardless of his political views.
He was awful radio.
JMO
He had a fairly unique voice and was good at memorizing celebrity trivia. Big deal.
Slam away!
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.
Casey Kasem taught a generation the power of optimism and kindness
Casey really was the DJ to the soundtrack of my youth.
RIP Mr. Kasem, you will be missed. And thank you!
I liked Casey Kasem but IMHO there were a number of things wrong with both the idea and execution of Top 40 music shows.
He read my long disatn e dedication on 4/6/83, so I have a fond memory of the show.
ff
Let's see'em.
ff
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