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Casey Kasem retires after nearly 40 years of top 40s

By Barbara Ferguson
Arab News
Posted on Friday July 17, 2009

After nearly four decades, the man with the velvet throat, and the most recognizable voice in radio — has turned off his mic.

Thirty-nine years to the day after his first American Top 40 broadcast, radio host Casey Kasem signed off on his final broadcast earlier this month and entered retirement.

Kasem, 77, who 39 years ago launched his American Top 40 programs playing the most popular songs and calling out listeners’ long-distance dedications. He paved the way for the American Top 20 and American Top 10 spin-offs.

What is perhaps most remarkable about Mr. Radio’s decision to abdicate the broadcasting throne is the fact that he held onto it for so long — a stretch during which he weathered technological upheaval, receding ratings and splintering musical tastes.

Kemal Amim “Casey” Kasem was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lebanese parents who worked as grocers. He after college, he went into radio, and the rest is history.

“The Arab American Institute is privileged to work closely with Casey for many decades, and we credit our signature publication, Arab Americans: Making a Difference, to Casey’s passion to share the expanding story of our many contributions to art, politics, business, academia, sports, and entertainment,” said Helen Hatab Samhan, executive director of the Arab American Institute. “We know his retirement will not diminish the vitality and compassion that so exemplify his life and legacy.”

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