10 Years Ago Tomorrow...

[Caseyfan4everRyanfanNever]

I'd like for everyone to take a look at the section "This Day in AT40 History" on the Main Menu of this site. Rob commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the return of American Top 40 and did a Wonderful job.

When Shadoe aired the last AT40, I thought it would never come back and that the show was gone for good. I had been listening to Casey's Top 40 as well and thought that Casey would be there to stay. Flash ahead to 1998--I turned my radio on to Kiss 107.5 at the time they normally broadcast Casey's Top 40 in March and heard the words "American Top 40". Hearing the 10, 9, 8... introduction, I thought "who would be hosting the show?
" (Rob's book wouldn't come out for another year or two so I thought that Casey's Top 40 was still broadcasting). I also thought "wouldn't be nice if Casey would be doing the honors?" but was doubtful. Imagine my surprise when after a brief pause, Casey's voice was heard. Yes, AT40 and Casey had reunited..

I've wondered whether Ryan or Casey would mention this in the shows airing this weekend, but I've concluded that they probably won't since according to the dominant mode of thinking at Clear Channel/Premiere, Casey has always been counting down the hits and mentioned on the CT40 March 3, 1990 show that "we've been counting down the hits since 1970". As a result, they tend to ignore or minimize the role of Shadoe Stevens and the fact that Casey was never with American Top 40.

I know one thing--I'm going to listen to AT40, AT20 and AT10 and see if anything is said.

[pzimm7700]

I remember thanks to that Pop Music Archive site knowing American Top 40 was returning and also that Casey would hosting it. I also remember the very horrible placeholder "Top 40 Countdown" produced by Westwood One that last month knowing they were done the last weekend in March. I did like the guy who hosted it the last week though.

No one at my local affiliate would answer the email I sent back then, but I asked if they would pick up the new AT40 show figuring they probably would, but not really knowing for sure whether Westwood One would continue to produce a show and try to find a replacement and also knowing how many other boneheaded decisions the local affiliate had made, I wasn't 100% until I heard Casey. And even that was an on edge moment. Not sure whether there was an intro saying "now, AMFM radio networks proudly presents American Top 40" on that show or not, but if there was, the local station didn't air it. It started with "10....9.....8.....7..."

[MEF]

Its hard to believe Casey has been with his current production company for 10 years now. (AMFM then to Premiere now). WKQI in Detroit aired the last Hot 20 Countdown on 3/21/98 from Westwood One . Then on 3/28/98, it was American Top 20 HOT AC with Casey Kasem from AMFM Radio Network.

Most of American Top 20 jingles from 1998 are still used today. A few updated jingles were added through the years.

[Mark Johnson]

pzimm7700 said:

I remember thanks to that Pop Music Archive site knowing American Top 40 was returning and also that Casey would hosting it. I also remember the very horrible placeholder "Top 40 Countdown" produced by Westwood One that last month knowing they were done the last weekend in March. I did like the guy who hosted it the last week though.

No one at my local affiliate would answer the email I sent back then, but I asked if they would pick up the new AT40 show figuring they probably would, but not really knowing for sure whether Westwood One would continue to produce a show and try to find a replacement and also knowing how many other boneheaded decisions the local affiliate had made, I wasn't 100% until I heard Casey. And even that was an on edge moment. Not sure whether there was an intro saying "now, AMFM radio networks proudly presents American Top 40" on that show or not, but if there was, the local station didn't air it. It started with "10....9.....8.....7..."

I just listened to that show a couple of days ago and they just started out with the opening theme music. 2... #1...Hello again everybody and welcome to American Top 40...

[vto66]

Wow!! 2008 is definitely quite a year for significant milestones in AT40 history. It was 30 years ago that AT40 started the "Long Distance Dedication" and also expanded from three hours to four hours. It was 20 years ago that Casey left AT40 and Shadoe Stevens took over. And, it was 10 years ago that AT40 returned after a three-year hiatus, with Casey back at the mike.