A Tribute to the Father of The American Top 40 Casey Kasem | POP FIX | Professor of Rock

Casey Kasem was truly a touchstone of our childhood as the father of the American top 40 countdown I don't know if words can convey to the younger generations what his weekly show meant to those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s. It was our window to the world. Casey was the cardinal authority for our rock and pop education. Like many across this nation, I listened valiantly until Casey crowned the number song each week.

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Hey Music Junkies, Professor of Rock , always here to celebrate the greatest artists and songs of all time; If you love the music of the 60s 70s 80s and 90s subscribe so you don’t miss out.

So I’m an ordinary average guy born and raised in a small town called Blackfoot Idaho. I’ve been living a dream for the last 7 years, interviewing over 500 of the greatest music legends about the greatest songs of all time.. I have personally heard the story of the thousands of songs. I attribute this blessing to one extraordinary icon. Casey Kasem. To all of us 70s and 80s kids, Casey is on the same sacred ground as Sesame Street, Han Solo, Marty McFly, Johnny Carson, Steven Spielberg, John Hughes, Saturday Night Live, Dick Clark & mr Rogers. He was truly a touchstone of our childhood as the father of the American top 40 countdown and we lost him in June of 2014

I don't know if I can convey to the younger generations what his weekly show meant to us. It was my window to the world and the cardinal authority for my rock and pop education. Like many across this nation, I listened valiantly until Casey crowned the number song each week . A good comparison might be what little orphan Annie meant to Ralphie in a Christmas story except we had many other distractions like television, cable, and Atari but we always made time for Casey.

I always say that the first time I heard rock and roll I felt like I was busting out of prison. Well Casey was one of the the keys that opened that door. With his stories behind the hits, his flashbacks to early rock, and masterful trivia he opened up a realm of infinite possibilities to a small town boy like me. With his heart felt Long distance dedications he made the world a lot smaller and much more united His voice, was so passionate, yet tranquil, sweet, and completely distinct. Every week when he counted down the top hits he would always hearken back to the pioneers and honor the great artists and songs that inspired what we we were hearing in the present. He taught us the value of music and shared the intricate stories behind the songs and the artists who created them, setting the standard that has become the blueprint that is followed to this day. He was undoubtedly, the Class of the radio dial. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without his influence and I take a piece of him with me in every interview I do, long live the at40.
He also influenced us 70s and 80s kids in another extremely vital but lost art, Saturday Morning Cartoons. As the mouth piece of Shaggy, and so many other characters in various kids programs, you always knew when it was Casey behind the characters because his voice broke through to our spirit and calmed us, a great service to the ADD generation I might add.

When I say he calmed us, I mean that like many of you, I personally had a lot of fears as a kid growing up in the 80s, The evening news was full negativity and trauma, talk of Nuclear War, Milk Cartons had pictures of missing Children on them, we witnessed the tragedy of the Challenger exploding live on television for Heaven sake. Casey Kasem was one of the consistent positive influences that you could count on every single week without fail.

He was so iconic whether you saw him or heard him, again that unmistakable voice was so personable, when he ended each show with those magical words “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the Stars I knew he was talking directly to me. I know a million other people thought the same thing. He was the undisputed king of the airwaves and the irrefutable bastion of pop radio.

He was also a great mercenary for fairness in entertainment's depictions of minorities, an advocate for animals and the homeless. I had a chance to talk with his daughter Kerri Kasem When I heard he was sick, it broke my heart, inside edition has a piece on this. His birthday is on April 27th so please join with me in celebration of a truly great man and the legacy he has left that still inspires us today. In honor of Casey Kasem, I’ll replace my usual goodby with his immortal words

“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the Stars Thanks Casey.