As word spread Sunday morning that Casey Kasem had died at age 82, friends and fans the world over began to share their memories of the legendary DJ and voice actor.
Ryan Seacrest, who took over hosting of Kasem's legendary "American Top 40" in 2004, issued a statement remembering his mentor, and also posted a memorial tweet.
“It’s a sad day for the broadcasting community and for radio listeners around the world,” Seacrest said in his 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.”
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Casey Kasem
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Many fans, famous or otherwise, used Kasem's famous radio signoff, "keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars," in their remembrances.
Actor Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, issued a tweet that may need some explaining.
"Snuggles" was the name of the dog in a famed long-distance dedication Kasem once recorded. He tripped up on the dog's name, and began re-recording it, then flew into a tirade about how difficult it was to go from an upbeat Pointer Sisters song into a somber dedication. The tape was leaked, and Howard Stern and other DJs picked it up, and it's now available on YouTube.
Kasem later said he forgave the leaker of the Snuggles tape, according to Rob Durkee's book, "American Top Forty: The Countdown of the Century."