A long-distance dedication to Casey Kasem

We saw this one coming. Before his death today at the age of 82, Casey Kasem had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia. His family battled over whether heroic measures would be taken to keep him alive. The answer was no. The end was near.

I'm still sad about it, though. Casey Kasem was part of my childhood. My family used to listen to American Top 40 every Sunday morning. We liked making fun of the show, bonding over the glorious cheesiness of his delivery. Then he was gone for a few weeks and another DJ filled in for him—John somebody?—and the ridicule stopped. The other guy was obviously reading from the same script as Kasem, but something was off. He just didn't put the same feeling into it that Casey did.

Sigh.

Not long after seeing the news, I finally got around to digging up an old outtake of his I'd heard about years ago, where he had a meltdown in the studio. With absolutely no disrespect intended, I present it here, because it is awesome. (Not safe for work or small kids.)

Notes:

1. Hearing Casey Kasem say "fuck" is just as funny as you think it will be.
2. His meltdown was entirely justified. You try making appropriately sad noises about a departed pet right after "Jump (for My Love)" by the Pointer Sisters.
   

You can read more about Casey Kasem's career here. 'til I post again, keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.