Ryan Seacrest was among the many colleagues and fans of Casey Kasem who paid tribute to the late radio icon on Sunday after Kasem’s daughter confirmed that he had died at the age of 82.
Radio Legend Casey Kasem Dead at 82
“It’s a sad day for the broadcasting community and for radio listeners around the world,” Seacrest, who took over the American Top 40 show from Kasem in 2004, said in a statement. “When I was a kid, I would listen to Casey Kasem’s AT40 show every weekend, and dream about someday becoming a radio DJ. So when decades later I took over his AT40 countdown show, it was a surreal moment. Casey had a distinctive friendly on-air voice, and he was just as affable and nice if you had the privilege to be in his company. He’ll be greatly missed by all of us.”
Over the course of more than three decades counting down America’s most popular hits, Kasem made an impact on several generations of broadcasters, musicians and Hollywood stars, who sent notes of appreciation out on Twitter.
Long before MTV and the internet #CaseyKasem made sure you were hearing the best music out there. Peace be to his family and RIP. #Respect
— Carson Daly (@CarsonDaly) June 15, 2014
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RIP Casey Kasem who inspired all of us in radio & turned millions of people onto music.Sending love to @KerriKasem, family and friends.
— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) June 15, 2014
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Fitting we should get the news on a Sunday am. RIP Casey Kasem. http://t.co/Erm0meLOSX
— colin meloy (@colinmeloy) June 15, 2014
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RIP Casey Kasem. My thoughts are with his children who didn’t get time with their father before his passing. So sad.
— oliviamunn (@oliviamunn) June 15, 2014
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Casey Kasem, one of the most decent men I ever knew. ..”keep reaching for the stars…” look for The Light, godspeed pic.twitter.com/aVGG84ujfG
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) June 15, 2014
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“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars,” Casey Kasem.
— *NSYNC (@NSYNC) June 15, 2014
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I played AT40 at my college station WOCR 640AM SUNY Oswego 1973-1975. It came in by mail on Friday on 3 12″ LPs. Learned a lot from Casey
— Al Roker (@alroker) June 15, 2014
