Farewell Dick Clark, Music Genius
Dick Clark, music pioneer and legend, died yesterday after a massive heart attack. He was 82. Everyone in America -- and probably the rest of the world -- knows Dick Clark. People like my parents (you know, baby boomers) watched Clark host American Bandstand, a show that launched countless music careers. People of my generation know Clark for New Year's Rockin' Eve. And he had his hand in countless other types of shows like TV Bloopers & Practical Jokes and a slew of award shows like the Golden Globes. Dick Clark productions was also behind one of my most favorite television series of all time: American Dreams.
Clark had diabetes and suffered a stroke in 2004. That stroke badly damaged him... and me too I think. He returned to host his New Year's Eve party show for a couple years after that stroke, but he looked and sounded so bad, it upset me to the point where I had to give the show up. In recent years, Ryan Seacrest took over the hosting duties, with Clark just doing the midnight countdown. I couldn't even watch that part -- and the past couple of years, I even did my best to avoid Twitter right after midnight because I couldn't bear to read the comments from insensitive people that don't understand the complexity that strokes and aging in general have on the human body.
American Bandstand wasn't just for pop stars. Dick Clark just loved music and he featured lots of glam bands we count as our faves like Def Leppard and KISS.
Reader Comments (8)
Glam Metal acts that appeared on American Bandstand:
Aerosmith
Autograph
Def Leppard
Dokken
Giuffria
KISS
Y&T
PS: Glam Metal acts that appeared on American Bandstand: ANGEL!!
DC did a lot with his opportunities.
I remember hearing that Dick was the one that turned Alan Freed in. Don't know if that was ever verified.
As of now, the only way you can see a performance is to license it from Dick Clark Productions.
Maybe things will be different once the dust has settled on the estate.
Not only did he introduce many bands to the world via American Bandstand, but he also had this other amazing show on ABC called "In Concert", which featured incredible LIVE performances from some of the best bands ever, BEFORE they really broke big. One of the most amazing pieces of film ever, is KISS's early performances on "In Concert" when they only had ONE record out. I think this might have been where I first saw KISS in 1974. Thank You, Mr. Clark! Thank you for a lifetime of music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF-jjaBMHcw