Radio personality Casey Kasem arrives at the Golden Dads Awards ceremony June 15, 2005, in Los Angeles. Over the weekend, the 77-year-old broadcaster announced his final countdown after 39 years.
(Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
"I think it was probably a gradual process. Charts are changing, stations are changing, the networks are changing, radio itself is changing, and I think, you know, the pendulum swings back and forth," Jeannie Kasem said." You just have to be willing to jump ship and try something new."
Kasem's voice will not disappear from the airwaves entirely. Weekly rebroadcasts of his Top 40 programs from the 1970s and 1980s will air on more than 200 stations.
Kasem let the world know he was getting out of the countdown business through a brief, mostly overlooked, news release a few days ago.
"Hosting various versions of my countdown program has kept me extremely busy, and I loved every minute of it. However, this decision will free up time I need to focus on myriad other projects," he said in the release. "The 70's and 80's versions of "American Top 40" have experienced phenomenal station and audience growth over the last year and I'm sure they will continue to be successful."
He has declined requests for interviews about his decision.
"He's never been big on goodbyes or hellos," his wife explained in an interview in their home in Holmby Hills, Calif. "He lets his work speak for himself."
Kasem's first No. 1 was "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by Three Dog Night. His last: "Second Chance," by Shinedown.
The music changed, but Kasem never did.
"I'm Casey Kasem," he said in his final sign-off. "Now, one more time, the words I've ended my show with since 1970: Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."
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