Reach For The Stars

Lost in the Jackson maelstrom and subsequent Michaelfest was the retirement of a singular talent in radio, a man who can talk with absolute authority about every single Michael Jackson put on the charts. 

Casey Kasem has decided to stop counting down the hits.

As a radio neophyte, I always admired Casey Kasem.  He talked as if he were your best friend.  His delivery left no doubt he knew exactly what he was talking about.  When he offered up a nugget of information on a singer or group, he convinced you that only he knew this before he decided to share.  And he made the declaration of the number-one song of the week an event.

Jean and Casey Kasem

For years, Casey Kasem came off as the straightest, most sincere man in America.  And then his wife burst into the public consciousness as “Loretta Tortelli,” the second wife of Carla’s ex, Nick, on “Cheers.”

And when everyone realized Jean Kasem was Casey Kasem’s wife…well…the reaction was, “Casey, you devil…” 

I’d call Casey Kasem an icon.   But I’ve temporarily banned icon and iconic from my vocabulary and writing.  Especially after the last couple of weeks.

So “singular” will have to do.  Which is every bit as complimentary as ic…you know.