“Here We Go With the Top 40 Hits…”
Those words, first spoken by Casey Kasem on July 4, 1970, would go on to define generations of pop culture and radio history. For over five decades, American Top 40 has counted down the biggest hits across the globe—bridging the vinyl era to the streaming age, from Elvis and The Beatles to Olivia Rodrigo and The Weeknd.
As the show celebrates its 55th anniversary, we’re turning the spotlight back on AT40 itself with 55 facts—from unforgettable dedications and chart milestones to behind-the-scenes trivia and unforgettable hosting eras. Whether you grew up with Kasem’s warm storytelling, Shadoe Stevens’ booming presence, or Ryan Seacrest’s sleek countdowns, American Top 40 has always had its finger on the pulse of pop. Now, on with the countdown…
- American Top 40 debuted on July 4, 1970, on just seven stations.
- The show’s first host was Casey Kasem, who remained the voice of the show until 1988 and again from 1998 to 2004.
- The first #1 song ever played on AT40 was “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” by Three Dog Night.
- The inaugural episode included both The Beatles and Elvis Presley in the Top 10—one of the last times they shared the charts.
- AT40 was co-created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds, and Ron Jacobs.
- The show was originally produced by Watermark Inc., later acquired by ABC Radio.
- The original show used Billboard’s Hot 100 as its source for chart data.
- “Shuckatoom” became the show’s signature theme music from 1975 to 1984.
- In 1978, AT40 expanded from three hours to four hours due to the longer average length of singles.
- Kasem’s signature sign-off: “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.”
- The popular “Long Distance Dedication” segment debuted on August 26, 1978.
- The first LDD was Neil Diamond’s “Desiree”, dedicated to a girlfriend moving to Germany.
- The show had “number jingles” for each chart position, like “Number 17!”—a fan-favorite feature.
- AT40 mentioned great affiliate stations each hour, like “American Top 40 is heard coast-to-coast on great stations like…”
- By the early 1980s, AT40 was airing on over 1,000 stations in more than 50 countries.
- In 1982, Watermark was sold to ABC, and AT40 became part of the ABC Contemporary Radio Network.
- The show aired in mono until 1973 when it began being distributed in stereo vinyl.
- AT40 began international syndication early on, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.
- Shadoe Stevens replaced Kasem as host on August 13, 1988.
- During Stevens’ era, AT40 switched from Billboard to other charts like Hot 100 Airplay and Mainstream Top 40.
- In 1995, the original AT40 ended, but it continued internationally via Radio Express.
- Casey’s Top 40, launched in 1989, was Kasem’s competitor show after leaving AT40.
- In 1998, AT40 was revived with Casey Kasem returning as host, using the Radio & Records chart.
- AT40 switched to Mediabase as its chart source after 2009.
- In 2004, Ryan Seacrest took over as host and remains today.
- The first #1 song of the Seacrest era was “Hey Ya!” by OutKast.
- The show introduced new features under Seacrest, like AT40 Extra, listener shoutouts, and social media interaction.
- Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” holds a longevity record, spending 72 weeks on the chart.
- That record was broken in 2024 by “Calm Down” by Rema & Selena Gomez, with 75 weeks.
- On the Hot AC version, “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon spent 117 consecutive weeks on the chart.
- American Top 40: The 70s and The 80s air digitally remastered reruns of Kasem’s original shows each weekend.
- XM Satellite Radio began airing classic shows in 2006.
- SiriusXM’s “70s on 7” and “80s on 8” feature archived AT40 episodes weekly.
- In 2024, a digital stream titled American Top 40 with Casey Kasem: 90s and 2000s launched on iHeartRadio.
- AT40 sometimes compiled its own year-end charts, independent of Billboard’s official lists.
- The show had a TV spinoff, America’s Top 10, hosted by Kasem from 1980 to 1989 and again from 1991 to 1992.
- The country music version, American Country Countdown, launched in 1973 and is still on the air.
- AT40 Flashback, airing 1980s reruns, ran from 2000 to 2002.
- The longest AT40 show ever was the two-part Top 100 of the 1980s countdown.
- In 2020, Seacrest hosted AT40 from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- AT40’s 50th anniversary in 2020 included a new vinyl-style logo and special tributes.
- Seacrest’s AT40 includes “AT40 Breakout” songs and “AT40 on the Verge” picks.
- The show has two versions: one for CHR/Top 40, and another for Hot Adult Contemporary stations.
- No distinction is made on-air between the CHR and Hot AC editions.
- AT40’s iconic chart countdown format has been widely copied by other shows, including Rick Dees Weekly Top 40.
- AT40 has been broadcast in more than 150 countries.
- In Canada, more than 50 stations currently air AT40, often through iHeartRadio Canada.
- AT40 is syndicated by Premiere Networks, a division of iHeartMedia.
- In the show’s early days, California strawberry farmer Tom Driscoll helped fund its launch.
- Kasem was inspired by the Make Believe Ballroom radio show from the 1940s.
- Guest hosts were never allowed to use Kasem’s sign-off line.
- Casey Kasem passed away in 2014, but his legacy continues through classic show rebroadcasts.
- The show continues to celebrate musical milestones, artist anniversaries, and chart trivia on air.
- Seacrest also produces a daily AT40 Top 5 mini-countdown as part of On Air with Ryan Seacrest.
- More than five decades later, American Top 40 remains the world’s most iconic countdown show, still starting every week with the simple phrase: “Now, on with the countdown.”
