Tragedy struck the broadcasting world this month. Two of the greats have passed away - John Wilson, longtime Chairman and then President of the IBC departed this mortal coil Last Friday June 13th, followed Sunday June 15th by Casey Kasem - noted broadcaster and radio/TV personality.
An Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), John Wilson was a consummate businessman and broadcasting professional. In 1990, he took the helm at IBC and steering it in a bold new direction, weaving and coordinating six groups (the IABM, IEEE, IET, RTS, SCTE and SMPTE); he managed to revitalize the organization and coax it toward what it has become today. Attend any IBC show and you can partake in the realization of his vision.
By 1999, he had accomplished what he set out do with the IBC and relinquished the chair to another. At this point, he was appointed President of the IBC. John completed his time in the industry as the sales director at Link Electronics; after the parent company Quantel sold Link, Mr. Wilson moved on to found the UK display company Anna Valley LTD. Under Wilson's able leadership, the company became one of the leading projector rental companies in the UK. Today, Anna Valley LTD is a subsidiary of Shooting Partners Ltd. John has left his mark on many corporations in the broadcast industry.
While certainly not as well-known as our next notable, it was John Wilson that created the IBC as we know it today, and his legacy will live-on through it. My thoughts and prayers out to his wife and family.
Born Kemal Amin Kasem 1932, 'Casey' Kasem passed away Sunday at the age of 82. He spent his formative years in Metropolitan Detroit, scion of Lebanese-American grocers. Casey's fascination with radio and broadcasting began in the 40's. A graduate of Wayne State University, Casey was drafted into the Korean War. He served his country as a DJ and Announcer with the Armed Forces Radio Korea Network. After his time with the military and when he returned stateside, his radio career began in Flint, Michigan. The 60's found Casey in California as his star began to rise. He deejayed at several radio stations as well as landing several minor roles in films and TV shows.
It was the 70's when Casey Kasem truly came into his own. In collusion with Don Bustany, Ron Jacobs, and Tom Rounds, Casey created and stared in the innovative 'America's Top Forty.' From its launch on the 4th of July in 1970, Kasem hosted the show for over 18 years, all the while also broadcasting in additional venues and occasionally appearing in films. He also could be heard appearing in various voice roles in film and television. The popularity of this show continued to spiral upwards for some time. In 1988, amid contract disputes and concerns with ABC, Casey left 'American's Top Forty' for a decade.
The hosting of 'American's Top Forty' passed to Shadoe Stevens and its popularity faltered, especially when Casey reappeared with a rival show "Casey's Top 40" in 1989. By 1995, 'America's Top Forty' had faltered completely. Casey's countdown idea had appeared in many other shows by this point. In 1997, Casey acquired the rights to the name 'America's Top Forty' and in 1998 he re-launched the show once again hosting it himself for the next 5 years. In 2003, he relinquished his deejay spot on the show to Ryan Seacrest. Today, Americas Top Forty (listed as AT40) is syndicated worldwide as well as being available on a number of mobile apps. In the 80's AP40 had a television spin off called 'America's Top Ten' wherein Casey hosted a show that played the top 10 Music videos of the day.
Aside from his role in broadcasting, Casey appeared in a several movies, as well as many episodes of various live action TV shows and also events like a Dean Martin Roast or as on air talent in a Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy telethon. Casey Kasem lent his vocal stylings to dozens of animated characters for television. Casey's best know voice role, of course, being his recurring reprisal of Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers - the besty of the eponymous ghost hunting talking canine Scooby Doo. Kasem maintained this cartoon voice role for over fifteen years.
The honors are many. In 1981, Casey was honored with his own star on the Hollywood walk of Fame. In 1985, he won his place in the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame (in the radio division). In 1992, Casey had achieved the National Radio Hall of fame. He was also granted the 'Radio Icon Award' by Radio Music Awards.
Mr. Kasem was politically active as a liberal Democratic Party member as well as a supporter Lebanese-American and Arab-American political movements. He was married for 7 years in the 70's to Linda Myers and had 3 children with her. He re-married in 1980 to Actress Jean Thompson with whom he had 1 additional child. The couple remained together for the next 34 years until his death. Beginning in 2007, Casey began to develop health issues and, unfortunately, had a brief resurgence in the news the week before his passing in a legal dispute between Jean and the family from his first wife.
Casey Kasem may be gone, but his legacy continues. I'm certain Casey has one last long distance dedication for us, and that is his admonishment to: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." Farewell.
John Wilson's memorial service and a commemoration and celebration of his life will be on June 24th at 14:30 at All Saint's Church, Upper Clatford, SP11 7HB (just to the south of the town of Andover in the south of England). Casey Kasem's Funerary arrangements have yet to be announced.