Mark Coleman : Casey Kasem was ` ` tastemaker '' before era of streaming and downloads . He 's ` ` America 's Top 100 '' was n't gatekeeper but a conduit for popular songs , he says . Coleman : ©d advice along with pablum pop . Kasem 's show was accessible ; his voice upbeat , not sad . Kasem an iconic figure of common - denominator music during divisive time , he says .
Mark Coleman : Casey Kasem was ` ` tastemaker '' before era of streaming and downloads . He 's ` ` America 's Top 100 '' was n't gatekeeper but a conduit for popular songs , he says . Coleman : Kasem 's show was accessible ; his voice upbeat , not sad . Kasem an iconic figure of common - denominator music during divisive time , he says .