Casey had been ill for a while so I figured it was only a matter of time before the venerable radio voice would pass away. I hope he had a peaceful ending since the crapstorm with him family is just beginning.
He was definitely a presence during my childhood doing cartoon voices, the big three being Robin on The Superfriends, Alex Cabot III on Josie and the Pussycats (I think he was the band’s manager) and obviously his iconic Norville “Shaggy” Rogers on Scooby-Doo until Matthew Lilliard took over. His Alex in Battle of the Planets (the US version of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman) was more obscure.
When I got older, I became more familiar with Casey hosting his Top 40 show on WCVS in Springfield. The TV version was a decent surrogate until we moved to Houston where they had MTV.
Then he became the “enemy” during my high school/college years. The object of ridicule for his corny dedications, unhip music choices and predictable delivery style. On WMUR, one the station’s best student DJs Mike “Bax” Baxendale did a hilarious station ID poking fun at all three. I have a digital copy I need to post but I would prefer to have Bax’s permission, he’s a real morning host out East. I will describe it below:
The music underneath is The Lords of the New Church covering “Like a Virgin,” Casey chimes in a couple seconds saying “I’m Casey Kasem and when I’m not counting down the hits for millions of 14-year-old girls, I listen to WMUR.”
As with all good impersonations, Bax didn’t sound like Casey, he just conveyed the cadence and mindset we associated with the host.
Anyway, I’m confident Casey laughed all the way to the bank and couldn’t have cared less about the ire of teens/young adults. He did know, many of these same critics would’ve given their front teeth for an opportunity meet him. I remember a guest to an upper division communications class talking about a radio convention which had a brunch with Casey. It often sold out quickly.
Lastly, I’m glad he had a successful, prosperous and ubiquitous career. He was living proof that someone of Arabic-decent (Lebanese and a Muslim) was just as American people from other backgrounds.