For more than three decades, his notable voice, countdown formats and dedications touched the airwaves in 50 countries.
With family ties in Goodrich and Fenton, the king of countdown, who opened his show with, ‘This is Casey Kasem’s American Top 40,? was in Fenton last Saturday to help promote a fundraiser for the proposed $3.5-million cultural center to be added to the Fenton Community Center.
‘He has never forgotten his family,? said Kasem’s cousin Joan Turner, a former Goodrich High School media specialist who retired in 2005. ‘We grew up together. We are first cousins, Casey’s mom and my dad are brother and sister. I remember our families getting together and sleeping on the floor in our sleeping bags together.?
Through it all, Kasem believes it is his Lebanese descent and close family ties that have helped to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. Making sure to spend time with family before the event, Kasem arrived at Turner’s home where she had prepared a Lebanese feast for more than 30 family members.
‘Joan can cook as good as my mom could,? said Kasem. ‘I have always had a great respect and admiration for Joan. She is so friendly and has a great personality. Our families are very close.?
A Detroit native, Kasem spent summers in the Goodrich area. His aunt, Rosie Sefa, and mother, Helen Dow, owned Larry Hamady – Pure Food Market on North Leroy Street in Fenton.
Turner said she remembers Kasem had spent about a year in Detroit doing radio when his career really started to take off. ‘Even though he was so close to really making a name for himself, he decided to take a year off to help his aunt and mom run the grocery store,? said Turner.
Kasem has always had a strong appetite for hard work. Turner said it is the Lebanese hard work ethic that has been passed down through generations.
Kasem, 76, doesn’t think his voice is anything special. ‘I always thought my voice sounded just like anyone else’s,? said Kasem. ‘I remember doing 100 promos in one day and then 20 commercials for Continental Airlines the same day.?
It was American Bandstand’s host, Dick Clark, that Kasem said gave him his first break. ‘Dick was the producer of ‘Shebang? back in 1964, when he hired me to be the host,? said Kasem. ‘Gene Autry owned the show.?
His favorite generation of music, Kasem said, was the 60s. ‘That generation of music had a little bit of everything. There was Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Ray Charles,? he said.
He didn’t always want to be a disc jockey. Kasem originally wanted to be a baseball player and an actor. ‘I remember Casey wanted to play for the Detroit Tigers,? said Turner. ‘I don’t think he was good enough.?
In the 1950s, Kasem landed acting roles on national radio shows such as ‘The Lone Ranger? and ‘Sergeant Preston of the Yukon?. Kasem has been the voice of Shaggy, Scooby-Doo’s sidekick, since the TV cartoon began in 1969. He has also co-hosted Jerry Lewis? Labor Day Telethon since 1981.
Kasem was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992 and was the youngest member ever to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. He has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard Magazine in 1997.
Although Kasem did his last broadcast of ‘American Top 40? on Jan. 4, 2004, he plans on a working retirement. Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest, the host of ‘American Idol? on Fox television, has become the new host for ‘American Top 40.?
Kasem’s radio shows often ended with:
‘And don’t forget, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.?