Casey Kasem, King Of The Top 40 Countdown Dead

LOS ANGELES (AP) —  Casey Kasem, the smooth-voiced radio broadcaster who became the king of the top 40 countdown, has died at age 82.

Danny Deraney, publicist for Kasem's daughter, Kerri, says Kasem died Sunday morning at 3:23 a.m. at St. Anthony's Hospital in Gig Harbor, WA..

Derany said he was surrounded by his children Kerri, Mike, Julie and close family and friends.

No cause of death was given.

A statement was released Sunday by Kerri, Mike and Julie saying, "Early this Father's Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends. Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad."

Kasem's "American Top 40" began on July 4, 1970, in Los Angeles. The No. 1 song on his list then was "Mama Told Me Not to Come," by Three Dog Night.

The show continued in varying forms — and for varying syndicators — until his retirement in 2009. In his signoff, he would tell viewers: "And don't forget: keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

Watch the report, click here. 

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