The Long Distance Dedication made its debut on the August 26, 1978 broadcast of the American Top 40.
During Shadoe Stevens’ run as host of the AT40, the feature became known as “Request & Dedication”, but upon Casey Kasem’s return in 1998, it went back to its original name.
The first ever dedication was to a woman named Desiree. Her boyfriend wrote a letter to AT40, asking them to play Neil Diamond’s “Desiree”, because she was moving to Germany with her parents, and he was understandably sad about it. The Request & Dedication segment became known for it’s heart-wrenching stories and lovelorn subjects.
Recently, UnderScoopFire was able to uncover some LOST Request & Dedications. The sound clips below include Kasem’s reading of the letter, and then the song interspersed with clips portraying the story. Trust us folks, these were a hell of a find. Some real lost treasures here.
You might recognize the subjects of these letters/requests.
As part of a recurring segment, we proudly present the first installation of UnderScoopFire Requests & Dedications.
Request & Dedication #1
USF Request & Dedication: K.I.T.T./Drive by USF Requests&Dedications
Request & Dedication #2
USF Request & Dedication: Optimus/I Just Died by USF Requests&Dedications
Click here for UnderScoopFire LOST Request & Dedications II – with letters from Rambo & a retired Gestapo Major.
Have an idea for an UnderScoopFire Request & Dedication? Casey Kasem is still taking requests! Let us know in the comments or send an email to jason@rediscoverthe80s.com!
All clips produced by Jason Gross (@SockofFleagulls), creator of Rediscoverthe80s.com
Click here to celebrate the full audio genius of Jason Gross
This is awesome!
You came up with some good suggestions when we talked after the FF draft. If you can remember any of them (LOL) email me.
You magnificent bastards.
(A hearty LOL at that comment)
Jason worked very hard on this one, and crushed it. Glad it’s getting some love!
Dedicated to Storm, from Black Panther: Sorry about that battlefield divorce. “Africa” by Toto
I like it. Did you read the VS. book where it was the one on one battle between them? Fight fight fight fight kiss fight end. Hmm.