After nearly four decades, the man with the velvet throat, and the most recognizable voice in radio — has turned off his mic.
Thirty-nine years to the day after his first American Top 40 broadcast, radio host Casey Kasem signed off on his final broadcast earlier this month and entered retirement.
Kasem, 77, who 39 years ago launched his American Top 40 programs playing the most popular songs and calling out listeners’ long-distance dedications. He paved the way for the American Top 20 and American Top 10 spin-offs.
What is perhaps most remarkable about Mr. Radio’s decision to abdicate the broadcasting throne is the fact that he held onto it for so long — a stretch during which he weathered technological upheaval, receding ratings and splintering musical tastes.
Kemal Amim “Casey” Kasem was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lebanese parents who worked as grocers. He after college, he went into radio, and the rest is history.
“The Arab American Institute is privileged to work closely with Casey for many decades, and we credit our signature publication, Arab Americans: Making a Difference, to Casey’s passion to share the expanding story of our many contributions to art, politics, business, academia, sports, and entertainment,” said Helen Hatab Samhan, executive director of the Arab American Institute. “We know his retirement will not diminish the vitality and compassion that so exemplify his life and legacy.”
Through 2,000 cartoon episodes, 10,000 commercials and nearly four decades of radio hits, he has maintained his signature earnest style. “I’m Casey Kasem,” he crooned July 4. “Now, one more time, the words I’ve ended my show with since 1970: Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”
His retirement is, in many ways, the end of an era. Kasem was the last of the big-time DJs, a legacy that includes Alan Freed and Wolfman Jack, personalities who brought music to Americans when radio was king.
In addition to his radio shows, Kasem provided the voice of many commercials, added many voices for Sesame Street, was the voice of NBC, helped out with the annual Jerry Lewis telethon, and most notably, provided the cartoon voice of Robin in Super Friends, Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, Mark on Battle of the Planets, and a number of characters for the Transformers cartoon series of the 1980s. He is also the voice of “Out of Sight Retro Night” which airs on WGN America, as well as the voice of GM’s On-Star navigation/help system.
Kasem received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 27 April 1981, his 48th birthday, and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992.
Kasem was married to the actress / singer Linda Myers from 1972 to 1979, and they have three children together: Mike, Kerri and Julie. Kasem remarried in 1980 to Jean Thompson, and they remain married.
His children have followed in his footsteps: Mike Kasem is a voice-over actor who, in 1997, presented the MTV Top 20 Video Countdown. He also records new segments for American Top 40 repeat broadcasts, along with Clear Channel disc jockey Ed McMann.
Kerri Kasem is a television and radio hostess.
Casey and Jean Kasem also have a daughter, Liberty Irene Kasem, born on 31 May 1990. The “Little Miss Liberty” upscale baby cribs, designed by Jean Kasem and best known for their appearances as prizes on The Price Is Right, are named after Liberty.
A long-time vegetarian, Kasem has been active in politics for years, supporting Lebanese-American and Arab-American causes and politicians.
Kasem was a member of Citizens for Nader in 2000, and he supported Dennis Kucinich in his 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns.
