AMERICAN TOP 40 WITH CASEY KASEM (THE 1970'S) (Paperback)

~ Pete Battistini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Long regarded as an expert of Casey Kasem's American Top 40 radio program, Pete Battistini provides highlights and summaries of nearly 500 AT40 programs from the 1970s, along with a highly-detailed list of all subscribing AT40 radio stations. Peppered with various anecdotes and perspectives, he opens up his archives and offers more than 100 AT40 illustrations - memos, documents, advertisements, photographs, script cards, radio surveys and much more - to give a "Casey's coast-to-coast" inside look at the America's favorite hit parade. Finally, he provides his own 'confessions' describing how AT40 became a weekly habit. For anyone who spent time listening to Casey Kasem's countdown every weekend, here's an opportunity to relive the music and stories of the 1970s.

About the Author

Pete Battistini was born in Gary, Indiana in 1955. Thirteen years later he picked up his first radio station record survey - a Top 40 listing of WLS' (Chicago) Hit Parade. This lead to a fascination with artist and music variety typically found in Top 40 radio and in Top 40 countdowns. In 1971, Battistini heard Casey Kasem's American Top 40 for the first time and was instantly captivated. He has accumulated one of the largest collections of American Top 40 memorabilia, including an AT40 promotional poster seen here that he obtained from former WICB (Ithaca, New York) general manager Gene Hallahan. His enthusiasm for Casey Kasem's radio show carried over into a desire to document AT40 program information, the 1970s in particular. Much of that data is presented in this text. Additions, changes or suggestions to this text are welcomed by the author. Contact Pete Battistini at [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (January 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418410705
• ISBN-13: 978-1418410704
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,036,824 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A virtual stroll down Memory Lane, March 19, 2005

By	Scott N. Burton (Bridgeport,CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I started listening to "American Top 40" in May of 1974-When I heard that Pete Battistini was coming out with a book chronicling the first 10 years of the show's existence,I knew I had to pick it up-This book is divided into three sections-Part 1 lists a brief recap of every "AT 40" program from July 1970 to December 1979-Part 2 lists every station,foreign or domestic,that carried the show at one time or another-Part 3 & my favorite part of the book,is Pete's recollection of hearing "AT 40" for the first time in 1971 & then trying to find a station in his hometown of Indiana that carried the show-It was also a treat to see reproductions of ads for "AT 40" that originally appeared in the pages of Billboard magazine-All in all,this is a book that every fan of "AT 40" should have in their collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Source Of Information About A Great Show, March 8, 2005

By	Kurt (Safety Harbor, FL) - See all my reviews

If you listened to Top 40 radio during the 1970's, chances are you heard the syndicated program "American Top 40" (at one time or another). As an avid fan of the show and a close friend to those involved with it, author Pete Battistini does an excellent job giving minute facts about every single American Top 40 program from July, 1970 to December, 1979. Along with this are reprints of trade advertisements and company memos for the show at various points in time, as well as reflections from people who were either connected to the show, or felt a connection to it, including the author himself. It's a great source of information and trivia that really encapsulates what went into producing the first syndicated program of its kind.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Radio Geeks Dream, August 9, 2005

By	Tripp Rogers "Radiodude" (The Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This is a great book for the true radio geek. Rob Durkee's book combined with this one gives you a real close look into one of the true radio success stories of the 70's and 80's. Flipping thru the pages - I was reminded of my days running AT40 at WDIF in Marion, OH. If you ever board-op'ed AT40, you will love this. If you are not a 'radio insider', buy the Durkee book - it tells the story better.