Casey Kasem, of the biggest radio personalities in the United States, died on Sunday, June 15. He was 82 years old.
Kasem's daughter Kerri released a statement saying: "Early this Father's Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends ... Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken."
Kasem, a Lebanese-American born in Detroit, is best known for being the host of radio program "American Top 40"--a job that he did starting the 1970s, until 2009. He is also a voice actor, and is behind the famous voice of Shaggy in the Scooby Doo cartoons.
"American Top 40" was broadcasted to over 1,000 stations, with up to 40 million listeners during the height to Kasem's career. His style is simple yet profound and captivating--aside from playing the songs in the countdown, he would also share band and music trivia, band members' bios, and dedication for listeners--things that entertained both young and old listeners alike.
The very first number 1 song that Kasem introduced was Three Dog Night's "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)." His last was Shinedown's "Second Chance."
In a 1989 interview, Kasem told Variety: "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."
Suffering from Lewy Body Disease (a form of dementia), Kasem had been in critical condition since early June. Late this week, his daughters have made the decision (which was later approved by a judge) to pull his life support, and stopping food and fluids.
During the end of his weekly radio program in 2009, Casey told his listeners: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."
Kasem died at the St. Anthony's Hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington. He is survived by his wife, four children, and four grandchildren.
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