Many of you grew up with this man, it is very sad how his life came to and end, with his family fighting. Let us be in prayer for the family. Casey Kasem, the legendary radio broadcaster whose style set the benchmark for Top 40 shows, has died. He was 82.
Danny Deraney, publicist for Kasem’s daughter, Kerri, says Kasem died Sunday morning.
“We are confirming that Casey Kasem passed away at 3:23 a.m. this morning at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Gig Harbor, WA,” Deraney’s statement said. “He was surrounded by Kerri, Mike, Julie and close family and friends. No cause of death given. The family will not be doing any press at this time.”
Kasem’s “American Top 40” began on July 4, 1970, in Los Angeles. The No. 1 song on his list then was “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” by Three Dog Night.
The show continued in varying forms — and for varying syndicators — until his retirement in 2009. In his signoff, he would tell viewers: “And don’t forget: keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”
Kasem, who reportedly suffered from Lewy Body disease, was the subject of a contentious family battle between his second wife Jean and his three adult children from his first marriage over his care.
Kasem’s death comes just days after a judge granted his daughter, Kerri Kasem, the authority to withhold medication, food and fluids from her ailing father.
In the ruling last Wednesday, attorney Troy Martin said, Superior Court Judge Daniel Murphy determined that giving Kasem food and fluids would be harmful and cause more pain for the 82-year-old former radio personality.
His daughter Kerri initially implemented the end-of life measures on June 6.
