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SourceABC News confirmed that the radio personality died today in a California hospital. He was 82.
Born Kemal Amin Kasem in Detroit, the disc jockey began his career in nearby Flint before becoming an announcer on Armed Forces Radio Korea Network in 1952. Upon his return, he went on to work at radio stations in California, Ohio and New York before launching "American Top 40" in 1970. He hosted that show until 1988, and then a revived version from 1998 until 2004, when Ryan Seacrest took over. From 1988 until 1998, Kasem hosted a show called "Casey's Top 40."
I grew up listening to his top 40 countdown. I've got old cassette tapes (mainly from when Mariah was interviewed) of his shows.
"Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."
