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Portrait of Casey Kasem

Casey Kasem

Iconic Voice of Radio

Friend of PalestineNot Palestinian, and stood with Palestine
Born
27 April 1932
Born in
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Why Casey is here

Innovator in Radio Broadcasting

Their story

Casey Kasem (1932–2014) was born in Detroit to Lebanese Druze parents. He created and hosted the radio countdown American Top 40, and was the first voice of Shaggy in Scooby-Doo, becoming one of the most familiar voices in American broadcasting.

Off the air he was an advocate of Palestinian independence and of Arab Americans, at a time when it could cost a career. He campaigned against the Gulf War and organised conflict-resolution workshops bringing Arab Americans and Jewish Americans together.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Casey’s path.

  1. Radio Start

    Began his radio career during his high school years and furthered it at Wayne State University.

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  2. Military Service

    Served as a DJ/announcer in Korea for the Armed Forces Radio Service during his time in the U.S. Army.

  3. American Top 40

    Launched the iconic radio show American Top 40 in 1970, which became a staple of American music culture.

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  4. Voice Acting

    Became the first voice of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo franchise and contributed voices to various other series and commercials.

  5. Retirement

    Retired from American Top 40 in 2009 after a long and influential career.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Development of Radio Countdown

    Revolutionized radio broadcasting with the introduction of the countdown format that blended music with human-interest stories.

  2. Voiceovers

    His voice became iconic through his work in commercials and children's television, enhancing the brand identity of numerous shows and products.

  3. Cultural Impact

    Helped shape the American cultural landscape through his radio show, influencing music popularity and radio programming trends.

  4. Advocacy

    Actively fought against stereotyping of Arabs and Arab Americans in media, using his platform to promote positive representations.

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  5. Philanthropy

    Supported various charitable causes, especially within the Arab-American community, and contributed to cultural and educational projects.

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