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contributions
American Bandstand
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a brief history
Dick Clark
was born on November 30, 1929, in Mount Vernon, New York.
By the time he was 17 years old, he was already getting his
feet wet doing news, weather and station breaks for WRUN,
a radio station in Utica, NY. In 1952, while working for WFIL
radio and TV in Philadelphia, Bob Horn, host of an afternoon
dance show, “American Bandstand,” was arrested for
driving under the influence. In his place stepped a young,
27 year old Dick Clark, and the rest is history.
American Bandstand became synonymous with youth and music.
Clark had an uncanny ability to pick talent and knew a hit
record when he heard it. His influence on the music business
at that time was enormous. New singers and groups were “discovered”
on “Bandstand.” One appearance on his show could
mean a chance for a new act to be heard and a career to be
born. Clark garnered huge loyalty from talent that was discovered
on his show, and many acts appeared multiple times to promote
their songs and support “American Bandstand.”
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John's memories
I first met Dick
Clark as an artist, when I performed on American
Bandstand as Johnny Madara. I sang my hit, “Be My Girl.”
I continued my professional relationship with Dick, appearing
on American Bandstand and Where The Action Is
a total of 14 times, as Johnny Madara, and later with Dave
White and Ray Gilmore as The Spokesmen.
Dick’s influence on my career was enormous. In 1957,
Dave White and I wrote a song called “Do The Bop.”
Dick suggested that we change the lyrics and do a song about
the record hops, which were becoming huge with the teenagers.
Thankfully, we followed his advice. “At The Hop”
became a huge hit and remains today one of the most recognized
songs in the history of the music business.
From the time I met Dick Clark to
the present, he has always been kind, supportive and generous.
My feelings for him and my love for him go beyond anything
I can say. He was probably the most influential person in
my career, and I am honored to know him as a friend.
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what happened next?
Following American
Bandstand, Dick Clark went on to
executive produce “The American Music Awards,” “The
Academy of Country Music Awards,” “The Soap Opera
Awards,” “The Daytime Emmy Awards,” “The
Gold Globe Awards,” and “The 48th Annual Emmy Awards.”
Through his production company, he has also produced numerous
TV shows, including “The Birth of the Beatles,”
and “Elvis.” and the highly successful TV series,
“American Dreams.” His company has produced a “New
Years’ Rockin’ Eve” special each New Year since
1972. He co-produced with Johnny Carson’s company in
the 80s, “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes”
as well as “Live! Dick Clark Presents.” He also
hosted the hugely successful game show, “The $10,000
Pyramid” which later became “The $20,000, $25,000,
and $100,000 Pyramid.” Clark has written several books,
and has ventured into the video and CD market with “Dick
Clark’s Best of Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s
All-Time Hits.”
Dick Clark remains an icon in the
entertainment industry. There has been no one before and no
once since who has had the single most influence on setting
the trends in music and defining that music for millions of
teenagers throughout the world. Dick Clark
will forever be remembered as “the world’s oldest
teenager,” with his ability to tap into his own youthful
energy while continuing to bring to audiences, young and old,
his own special brand of entertainment.
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