Casey Kasem’s Vocal Talents Helped Make “Scooby-Doo” a Star of Saturday Morning

Before this radio legend reached for the stars with his feet on the ground, he joined the voice cast of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You, a cartoon that has stood the test of time.

by Rich Watson 

This post is part of the ninth edition of the Favorite TV Show Blogathon, a blog event. At the end, I’ll tell you where to find more posts like this.

Casey Kasem taught America how to count backwards. His syndicated radio show, American Top 40, told listeners which songs were popular each week. He also educated them about the musicians and their songs, answered questions about them, and dedicated songs by request.

In addition, he sustained a long career as a voice actor for animated series. One in particular continues to grow and evolve, over fifty years after its creation.

Five Bands the Electrifying Mojo Promoted to His Audience

This influential Detroit deejay helped put these musicians on the map, developed techno music, and expanded the tastes of his listeners.

by Rich Watson 

He was born Charles Johnson from Arkansas, but on the radio he was “The Electrifying Mojo,” a deejay who frustrated program directors but inspired his Detroit listeners. 

During his heyday in the eighties, he dabbled in a wide variety of styles, from electronic dance to funk to new wave to rock and hip hop and beyond. In a region known for Motown, Bob Seger, Iggy Pop, Ted Nugent, and other rock legends, he cultivated a new genre: techno music.

The musicians he promoted have acknowledged the debt they owe him in spreading the word about their music.

Tom Donahue’s Sideline As a Record Producer

The pioneer of progressive rock on the radio was also a producer in sixties San Francisco, during his Top 40 days.

by Rich Watson 

Tom Donahue, the San Francisco deejay who created a revolution in rock and roll radio through the progressive, or freeform, format, also helped develop the local music scene during the sixties as a record producer.

The bands he signed paved the way for the musical explosion in the Bay Area during the Summer of Love and beyond.