TV icon Dick Clark died today after a massive heart attack at age 82. The radio and television personality, known as “America’s Oldest Teenager,” was the long-time host of American Bandstand and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 1993.
Dick Clark hosted American Bandstand from 1956 through 1989. The television show had teen boys and girls dancing to the latest hits in popular music, featuring a wide variety of guests over the years including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, The Jackson 5, The Doors, Iron Butterfly, Kiss, Aerosmith, Madonna, Run DMC, Beastie Boys and probably the most bizarre performance by P.I.L.
Among the musicians who made their television debut on American Bandstand are Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Prince, Paul Simon and Buddy Holly. The show also helped spark national dance crazes such as The Twist.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve started in 1972 and Clark would host the event until he suffered a minor stroke in 2004. He returned to co-host with Ryan Seacrest in 2006, making brief appearances through the most recent edition in 2012.
Clark’s famous sign-off was, “For now, Dick Clark… so long.”
This article appears in Apr 17-23, 2012.
