RIP Casey Kasem

This is such horrible news. I knew Kasem as "The Top 40 Countdown DJ" long before I learned he was also a prolific voice actor in many of my favorite shows. He was phenomenally talented and, by all accounts, also a good person. So, at the very least, its comforting to know he'll always be remembered as an icon. Though I can't imagine how rough it must be for his children to lose their dad on Fathers' Day.

This news hits me REAL hard both because I'm a fan and because I feel so bad that Kasem's final days were marked by a bitter feud between his wife and children. I dealt with similar circumstances when my Grandfather was dying; and I wouldn't wish that kind of drama and heartache on anyone. And this is also why I REALLY hate seeing news surrounding Kasem's final days get bogged down by folks judging his wife and/or kids when they know nothing about the situation aside from what they hear on television.

I want to end this on a high note, so here's a clip of Kasem's final Top 40 sign off. I have a clear memory of tuning in to listen to this live as a kid (even though I hadn't listened to the Top 40 broadcasts in at least a year) because I just HAD to hear his last one:

RIP Casey

[[cross posted to scooby_doo]]