One of my heroes lays dying

[GNTLGNT]

...I don't wish to sound melodramatic, but one of my true heroes in the broadcasting business is not long from his clearing. You may or may not be aware of the circus surrounding Casey Kasem, as his family bickers over what's "right" for him. Frankly, all I care about is him-not the idiocy of his brood. Casey doesn't know me, he'll never know of me and that's OK. I know him...spent years listening to his legendary American Top 40 Countdown. Also, many a Saturday afternoon I sat in the jock chair in the radio studio with Casey, spinning the big old four hour show on vinyl-this was in my "cub" days as a DJ and Announcer...he was my inspiration, my teacher and my "friend"...I have always tried to let those who have a profound influence on me, know that...but he slipped through my fingers...somewhere in "other worlds" I may get the opportunity...I struggle to try to convey how much this one will hurt my heart, how he made me love radio as much as he did...not only that, but he gave me many a laugh as the voice of Shaggy on Scooby-Doo...his was a unique and God-given talent, and now that he can only communicate through gestures and that wonderful voice is silenced, a little piece of me will die with him...I can think of no more fitting tribute to Casey than to wish you all, his favorite closing line from AT-40..."Keep Your Feet on the Ground and Keep Reaching for the Stars"....

 

[Dana Jean]

Yes, I've been sort of following the drama around him. Personally, I want to knock Jean to the ground and tromp her. He is dying. Let his children see him. They have already stated they don't want his money. They are all doing very well on their own. They just want to see their dad and make sure he is being taken care of.

I hope he can pass with his family around him, loving him.

I grew up listening to the Top 40 -- his voice will always transport me to other times in my life.

 

[Agincourt Concierge]

He does have one of the best voices in the business ....

 

[GNTLGNT]

Yes, I've been sort of following the drama around him. Personally, I want to knock Jean to the ground and tromp her. He is dying. Let his children see him. They have already stated they don't want his money. They are all doing very well on their own. They just want to see their dad and make sure he is being taken care of.

I hope he can pass with his family around him, loving him.

I grew up listening to the Top 40 -- his voice will always transport me to other times in my life.

...Jean's spitefulness is as big as her boobs...a Judge has granted the stopping of a feeding tube-and if that decision holds, it won't be long...Casey has made his wishes known, essentially-"enough is enough, let me go"....

 

[Autumn Gust]

Every Sunday morning one of our local radio stations rebroadcasts an entire show of American Top 40 Countdown. Listening to it always takes me back to a time when life was simple and the sky was the limit for what the future might hold. Casey's voice was so warm and friendly. Even though he was extremely knowledgeable about the music he played, he had a very humble way about him. And who couldn't love him as the voice of Shaggy?! I pray the turmoil settles down and he is allowed to live out his last days in peace and with dignity.

 

[Dana Jean]

One of the daughters went to his house and was filming Jean as she threw raw meat at her and went off on some weird rant. I haven't seen this myself, just heard about it but there is a video somewhere.

 

[Autumn Gust]

One of the daughters went to his house and was filming Jean as she threw raw meat at her and went off on some weird rant. I haven't seen this myself, just heard about it but there is a video somewhere.

I was thinking maybe she is suffering from dementia but I just looked it up and she is only sixty years old. Of course, mental illness can strike at any age.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Every Sunday morning one of our local radio stations rebroadcasts an entire show of American Top 40 Countdown. Listening to it always takes me back to a time when life was simple and the sky was the limit for what the future might hold. Casey's voice was so warm and friendly. Even though he was extremely knowledgeable about the music he played, he had a very humble way about him. And who couldn't love him as the voice of Shaggy?! I pray the turmoil settles down and he is allowed to live out his last days in peace and with dignity.

...there is an infamous "rant" that he went on years ago....hilarious and very profane...just solidified his humanness to me....look it up on YouTube, it's worth the listen and laugh...

 

[Neesy]

...I don't wish to sound melodramatic, but one of my true heroes in the broadcasting business is not long from his clearing. You may or may not be aware of the circus surrounding Casey Kasem, as his family bickers over what's "right" for him. Frankly, all I care about is him-not the idiocy of his brood. Casey doesn't know me, he'll never know of me and that's OK. I know him...spent years listening to his legendary American Top 40 Countdown. Also, many a Saturday afternoon I sat in the jock chair in the radio studio with Casey, spinning the big old four hour show on vinyl-this was in my "cub" days as a DJ and Announcer...he was my inspiration, my teacher and my "friend"...I have always tried to let those who have a profound influence on me, know that...but he slipped through my fingers...somewhere in "other worlds" I may get the opportunity...I struggle to try to convey how much this one will hurt my heart, how he made me love radio as much as he did...not only that, but he gave me many a laugh as the voice of Shaggy on Scooby-Doo...his was a unique and God-given talent, and now that he can only communicate through gestures and that wonderful voice is silenced, a little piece of me will die with him...I can think of no more fitting tribute to Casey than to wish you all, his favorite closing line from AT-40..."Keep Your Feet on the Ground and Keep Reaching for the Stars"....

I hope they allow him to pass with dignity as he deserves respect, especially in his dying hours.

I really liked that clip you posted of Shaggy way up North "at the top of the world" - what a Ka-incidence - I had a radio show in Alert the summer of 92.

Casey Kasem - what a wonderful radio personality!

 

[Autumn Gust]

...there is an infamous "rant" that he went on years ago....hilarious and very profane...just solidified his humanness to me....look it up on YouTube, it's worth the listen and laugh...

I'll check it out!

 

[GNTLGNT]

I was thinking maybe she is suffering from dementia but I just looked it up and she is only sixty years old. Of course, mental illness can strike at any age.

...Casey has Lewy Body Dementia...

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. Most experts estimate that dementia with Lewy bodies is the third most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, accounting for 10 to 25 percent of cases. It ties in as well with the Parkinson's as well. Many people with Parkinson's eventually develop problems with thinking and reasoning, and many people with DLB experience movement symptoms, such as hunched posture, rigid muscles, a shuffling walk and trouble initiating movement.
This overlap in symptoms and other evidence suggest that DLB, Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease dementia may be linked to the same underlying abnormalities in how the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein. Also, Casey has an Advanced Directive-and has made clear it is to be followed.

 

[GNTLGNT]

One of the daughters went to his house and was filming Jean as she threw raw meat at her and went off on some weird rant. I haven't seen this myself, just heard about it but there is a video somewhere.

 

[Neesy]

...Casey has Lewy Body Dementia...

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. Most experts estimate that dementia with Lewy bodies is the third most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, accounting for 10 to 25 percent of cases. It ties in as well with the Parkinson's as well. Many people with Parkinson's eventually develop problems with thinking and reasoning, and many people with DLB experience movement symptoms, such as hunched posture, rigid muscles, a shuffling walk and trouble initiating movement.
This overlap in symptoms and other evidence suggest that DLB, Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease dementia may be linked to the same underlying abnormalities in how the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein. Also, Casey has an Advanced Directive-and has made clear it is to be followed.

Lewy body dementia? - oh dear - I fear he is more than ready to go to the clearing - how horrible for him and all involved. Do you know what his advanced directive was?

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[GNTLGNT]

Lewy body dementia? - oh dear - I fear he is more than ready to go to the clearing - how horrible for him and all involved. Do you know what his advanced directive was?

"'If the extension of my life would result in a mere biological existence, devoid of cognitive function, with no reasonable hope for normal functioning, then I do not desire any form of life sustaining procedures, including nutrition and hydration,' " the directive said in part, according to the family's statement.

 

[blunthead]

When I used to drive to see friends across country I'd sometimes find him on the radio. I hadn't listened to him before that, but liked the show. Even found some tunes I really like there. He's an American icon. I grieve for him and those around him who love and will miss him, including fans like those posting here.

(((((Casey Kasem)))))

 

[FlakeNoir]

I hadn't heard anything of the troubles, but oh yes I remember Casey Kasem from my childhood and always listened to The American Top 40. How very sad, poor man...

 

[Sundrop]

I've been following the story for a while. Casey Kasem is one of my all time favorite personalities. My heart breaks for him and his children.
Wishing him a relaxed and pain free journey into the light.....

 

[GNTLGNT]

...he is "Comfort Care" status now from what I understand, which is exactly as it sounds...no heroic measures and keep him as pain-free and comforted as possible...

 

[Spideyman]

May his spirit be guided to a place of total comfort.