Radio remembers countdown king Casey Kasem.

Story by Inside Radio

Radio icon Casey Kasem, host of the seminal countdown show “American Top 40” for nearly a quarter century, died early Sunday, according to his daughter Kerri Kasem. Kasem, 82, had been suffering from Lewy body disease, a form of progressive dementia, for several years. The radio community and beyond is remembering the man who made 40 songs a national touchstone.

Thrust back into the headlines recently by an ugly custody battle among family members, Kasem pioneered the modern day radio countdown show, a format that has only increased in popularity. “Everybody who grew up with the radio knew Casey Kasem,” Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, afternoon personality at Clear Channel CHR “WKTU, New York (103.5) and “Weekend Top 30 Countdown” host, told the New York Daily News. “And everybody who does a countdown show learned from him.” Kasem anchored “American Top 40” from July 4, 1970–August 6, 1988, signing off each show with, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”

Kasem hosted many spin-off shows, including “Casey’s Top 40,” “Casey’s Hot 20,” and “Casey’s Countdown.” He returned to host a revived version of “AT40” from 1998-2004, until Ryan Seacrest took over. Kasem also enjoyed a prominent career doing character voices, including Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009 and was Robin in the first animated “Batman.” He provided many voices for “Sesame Street” and other TV shows, was the voice of NBC, co-host of the Jerry Lewis telethon and was heard in numerous commercials. Kasem also moonlighted as an actor, appearing in “Police Story” and “Charlie’s Angels.” In a post on Twitter, Kerri Kasem said the legendary countdown show personality died surrounded by family and friends.

Ryan Seacreast has carried the “American Top 40” mantle for the past decade, and next weekend the show that Kasem created will remember his nearly 40 years behind the AT40 mic. “It’s a sad day for the broadcasting community and for radio listeners around the world,” says Seacrest, who credits Kasem and his show for pulling him to radio. “So when decades later I took over his AT40 countdown show, it was a surreal moment,” he says. Among the major moments during Kasem’s time at AT40 was the first No.1 he ever introduced — “Mama Told Me Not to Come” by Three Dog Night.

AT40 syndicator Premiere Networks has created a special tribute to Kasem on its website where fans can hear classic clips from the show and view photos of the Radio Hall of Famer throughout his career. There’s also a special memorial on iHeartRadio. “One of the most recognizable voices in radio and television, Casey set a gold standard for all broadcasters,” Premiere says in a statement.

An American original that cannot be replaced is the consensus sentiment as broadcasters pause to honor and remember Casey Kasem in the hours since his death. Rick Dees, who launched his own rival countdown show, says he “enjoyed sharing the same space on the radio” with Kasem. “Our friendly competition lead to years of friendship and respect,” Dees says. “We will all miss his style, his voice, and his ability to communicate.”

Like many broadcasters, Clear Channel Networks president Darren Davis says he can vividly remember listening to American Top 40 each weekend when he was a kid. “Casey’s polished style and dedication to his craft helped me fall in love with radio,” Davis says. “He was a true gem, and I’m grateful I got to meet him several times over the years.”

Many members of the Reach Media staff worked with Kasem when it took his show to AMFM Radio Networks in 1998. “He never turned down anyone when they approached him to talk about the show or a long-distance dedication they remembered,” says Marty Raab, who handled the show’s marketing.

Syndicated morning host Tom Joyner says he was among the legions of Kasem admirers. “He was world class, knew the power of radio, and will truly be missed,” Joyner says. Beyond broadcasting SAG-AFTRA also remembered Kasem for the exposure his countdown brought to artists.

Saga Communications EVP Steve Goldstein says Casey was one of the few radio personalities who became a national celebrity and made the AT40 countdown a huge weekly event that listeners looked forward to. “Today in an era of PPM teasing, I remind our people that Casey virtually invented the modern day curiosity tease and did it better than just about anyone,” Goldstein says. “He made everything more interesting and important. And the countdown continues...”