Making its debut on Independence Day weekend in 1970 on just 7 stations, the American Top 40 would grow to be heard around the World on more than a thousand stations in more than 50 countries. It was hosted at launch and through to 1988 by Casey Kasem. He was to be succeeded by Shadoe Stevens, with Casey moving to Westwood One to host a rival show. American Top 40 ended in 1995, but returned in 1998.