King of the countdown Kasem dies
LOS ANGELES — Casey Kasem, the internationally famous radio broadcaster with the cheerful manner and gentle voice who became the king of the top 40 countdown with a syndicated show that ran for decades, died Sunday. He was 82.
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.
It was a sad, startling end for a man whose voice had entertained and informed music lovers worldwide.