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Vale: Casey Kasem

He was Mr. American Top 40, but Casey Kasem was also the voice of Shaggy on Scooby-Doo.

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2014-06-16_1048US radio legend Casey Kasem, who was also the voice of Shaggy on Scooby-Doo, has died, age 82.

Kasem, who was known to millions as the man behind American Top 40, had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and a form of dementia.

His death comes after a highly publicised battle over his healthcare between his second wife, Jean, and the three adult children from his first marriage.

Kasem’s American Top 40 premiered in 1970 on a radio network of just seven stations but eventually aired on more than 1,000 stations in the US and abroad. Based on the Billboard charts, it ran for 39 years with the latest pop songs, trivia and long-distance dedications, before Ryan Seacrest took the chair.

In addition to his radio career, Kasem was a prolific voice-over man.

He provided the voice of Scooby Doo‘s sidekick, Norville “Shaggy” Rogers, from 1969 to 1997, reprising it again from 2002 until 2009.

Other credits included Jane of the Jungle, The Transformers, Johnny Bravo, Sesame Street, Battle of the Planets, Josie and the Pussycats and The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo.

Then there were the appearances in Fantasy Island, Charlie’s Angels, Quincy, Police Story, Ironside, Alf, Sister, Sister, The Ben Stiller Show, Saved by the Bell and Saturday Night Live.

Source: LA Times, IMDb

14 Responses

  1. I always listened to AT40 on a Sunday night to hear how INXS was progressing in the states. Quote…keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars…unquote!!!!

  2. well there ya go, i had no idea he did the voice of Shaggy in Scooby Doo. So i also have 2 great memories of the man, thanks Casey.
    I had seen reports in recents years on Extra etc about his family vs wifes dispute over health choices during his illness, really ugly stuff, at least now he can finally RIP.

  4. I remember listening to American Top 40 with Casey Kasem. He had a wonderful voice.

    I also remember the show playing Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles before it got played here, in particular, and so many more.

    Although when I was younger I loved Scooby Doo and Shaggy just has a memorable voice. My condolences to his family and friends. As long as Scooby Doo is played he will be remembered.

  5. Very sad news, Casey’s AT40 was mandatory listening in my house growing up. I too still listen to repeats every weekend. RIP Casey.

    @Pete – I think you’re thinking of Shadoe Stevens – Rick Dees was the host of the rival Weekly Top 40. Casey left AT40 in 1988; he was replaced by Shadoe Stevens. (Casey began a rival show called Casey’s Top 40 so he pretty much stayed on the air throughout.) Shadoe’s version of AT40 didn’t do well and was eventually canned in 1995. In 1997, Casey got the rights to use the AT40 name, and he returned the show to the airwaves in 1998, where he remained until 2003, when he handed over to Ryan Seacrest.

  6. I don’t know anything about Top 40 but I certainly remember him from watching Scooby Doo on Saturday mornings. Thank you for being part of one of the best cartoons ever!

  9. The voice who taught listeners how to count backwards from 40!! Very sad news, still listen to repeats of his show on 2NURFM every Sunday! Such a distinctive voice..RIP Casey

  10. Yes I too spent many hours listening to AT40 with Casey on 2UW in Sydney. He went onto the Adult Contemporary Top 20 which I think was heard on Sydney’s Mix FM for a short time.

    I think Rick Dees took over AT40 and then Ryan Seacrest, but I could be wrong.

  13. Many a Sunday afternoon I spent listing to American Top 40, just thinking about it I can hear the theme song and Casey’s distinct voice. Thank you for the Memories Mr Kasem.

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