We've previously discussed our next topic over at The Land of Whatever, but it also belongs here, too.
American Top 40 launched on July 4, 1970, and grew into as much of a pop culture icon as the music itself. Series co-creator and original host Casey Kasem (Scooby-Doo, Hot Wheels, Cattanooga Cats, etc.) had worked in morning drive radio in places as diverse as Buffalo, Detroit, and Los Angeles, and developed the show's format with co-creator and producer Don Bustany. After a decade, the duo expanded their scope to add a TV version, the half hour America's Top 10 (previously reviewed), which launched in 1980, and ran into the 90's before being cancelled.
While the series was at its peak, Kasem also continued to work in cartoons (i.e. Super Friends), and did commercials for Soft 'n' Dri, Raid, Ford, Chevron, Red Lobster, and other sponsors. After 18 seasons, however, and a salary dispute, Casey left, with Shadoe Stevens (Hollywood Squares) taking over, and bringing along his own bizarre brand of humor. This lasted for 7 years before the series was cancelled, only to return with Kasem back at the helm three years later. Casey retired, and passed the mic to current host Ryan Seacrest in 2009.
We lost Casey in 2014, but the memories will always be there. Here's a sample episode from June 1980, with the likes of Paul McCartney, Ambrosia, Lipps, Inc., and Bette Midler on the chart.
Rating: A.
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