Casey Kasem’s Velvet-Voiced Countdowns of Summers Past - NYTimes.com
Casey Kasem’s Velvet-Voiced Countdowns of Summers Past Casey Kasem possesses one of broadcasting's iconic voices. Last weekend, his meticulous tallies of pop music hits, interspersed with his trademark "long-distance dedications," ended after 39 years.
Casey Kasem in 1970.
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Casey Kasem on ‘American Top 40’
From top, left to right: Michael Jackson, Gordon Lightfoot, Donna Summer, Billy Idol, Madonna, Lisa Loeb, Ricky Martin, Shinedown.
(The same voice has also exclaimed countless times, "Zoinks! C'mon, Scoob!" That would be the hapless, high-metabolism Shaggy from "Scooby Doo," one of many cartoon characters brought to life by Mr. Kasem.)
In the manner of "American Top 40," his original show, here's a bit more background: Before he started listing pop hits, Mr. Kasem made his own appearance on the Billboard Singles Chart with his song "A Letter From Elaina" in 1964 (peak position: No. 103). He is a strict vegetarian and advocates for animal rights. His son, Mike, joined a rap group. A memoir may be next.
Mr. Kasem's counting down isn't really over. His Top 40 shows from the 1970s and '80s, like Shaggy, live on in syndication.
Here's a sampling of July Top Ten hits that Mr. Kasem introduced and played, from his debut to his final sign-off on Independence Day.
Debut show
July 4, 197010 Hitchin' a Ride - Vanity Fair
9 The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley
8 The Long and Winding Road - Beatles
7 Close to You - Carpenters
6 Lay Down (Candles in the Wind) - Melanie
5 Band of Gold - Freda Payne
4 Ride Captain Ride - Blues Image
3 Ball of Confusion - Temptations
2 The Love You Save - Jackson Five
1 Mama Told Me Not to Come - Three Dog Night35 years ago this week
July 13, 197410 Rock and Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers
9 The Air That I Breathe - Hollies
8 You Won't See Me - Anne Murray
7 Billy, Don't Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson & the Haywoods
6 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me - Elton John
5 On and On - Gladys Knight & the Pips
4 Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
3 Rock the Boat - The Hues Corporation
2 Annie's Song - John Denver
1 Rock Your Baby - George McRae30 years ago
July 14, 197910 Gold - John Stewart
9 Shine a Little Love - Electric Light Orchestra
8 I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
7 Makin' It - David Naughten
6 Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire
5 She Believes in Me - Kenny Rogers
4 Chuck E's in Love - Ricky Lee Jones
3 Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
2 Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
1 Bad Girls - Donna Summer25 years ago
July 14, 198410 Legs - ZZ Top
9 The Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis & the News
8 Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
7 Almost Paradise - Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
6 Self Control - Laura Branigan
5 The Reflex - Duran Duran
4 Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
3 Jump (for My Love) - The Pointer Sisters
2 Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
1 When Doves Cry - Prince20 years ago
July 14, 198910 Lay Your Hands on Me - Bon Jovi
9 On Our Own - Bobby Brown
8 What You Don't Know - Exposé
7 Batdance - Prince
6 Baby Don't Forget My Number - Milli Vanilli
5 So Alive - Love & Rockets
4 Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals
3 Express Yourself - Madonna
2 Toy Soldiers - Martika
1 If You Don't Know Me by Now - Simply Red15 years ago
July 17, 199410 Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John
9 Any Time, Any Place - Janet Jackson
8 Crazy - Aerosmith
7 Anytime You Need a Friend - Mariah Carey
6 You Mean the World o Me - Toni Braxton
5 If You Go - Jon Secada
4 I'll Remember - Madonna
3 Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
2 I Swear - All-4-One
1 Don't Turn Around - Ace of Base10 years ago
July 11, 199910 Beautiful Stranger - Madonna
9 Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
8 That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain
7 If You Had My Love - Jennifer Lopez
6 No Scrubs - T.L.C.
5 Wild Wild West - Will Smith w/ Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee
4 Sometimes - Britney Spears
3 All Star - Smash Mouth
2 I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
1 Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky MartinFive years ago
July 17, 2004 (American Top 20 Hot Adult Contemporary)10 Everything - Alanis Morissette
9 Meant to Live - Switchfoot
8 100 Years - Five For Fighting
7 My Immortal - Evanescence
6 Someday - Nickelback
5 Away From the Sun - 3 Doors Down
4 Accidentally in Love - Counting Crows
3 Heaven - Los Lonely Boys
2 This Love - Maroon 5
1 The Reason - HoobastankFinal show
July 4, 2009 (American Top 20)10 Gives You Hell - The All-American Rejects
9 Come Back to Me - David Cook
8 No Surprise - Daughtry
7 Please Don't Leave Me - Pink
6 Not Meant to Be - Theory of a Deadman
5 You Found Me - The Fray
4 The Climb - Miley Cyrus
3 Her Diamonds - Rob Thomas
2 If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback
1 Second Chance - ShinedownSources: Premiere Radio Networks, IMDB.com, Oldradioshows.com