Tribute: Casey Kasem

I’ve seen a lot of news headlines these past few days lamenting the passing of the American Top 40 host. I had no idea what they were talking about. It’s not my fault, I live in the far off, exotic land of Australia where everything is trying to kill you and people somehow slur their vowels. A line of two into the article they mentioned the real news: Casey Kasem, the voice of Shaggy, has died.

Not that I want to diminish his career as a DJ…as a member of the international audience that work hasn’t reached us. But we sure as hell know who Norville ‘Shaggy’ Rogers is.

Seriously, everyone knows who Shaggy is. Watch this: ‘zoinks’. You read that in his voice, right? The character is an icon of pop culture. Casey Kasem provided the voice to many roles during his hey-day, including Robin in The Superman/Batman Hour and Superfriends. That’s all pretty cool, but when you provided the voice for Shaggy you don’t need anything else on your resume. You’re awesome enough.

After playing the role from 1969 through to 2006 Kasem returned to franchise to play Colton Rogers, Shaggy’s father. Sadly he passed away June 6th, 2014, due to complications from being bedridden as a result of Lewy body dementia.

R.I.P. Casey Kasem