RIP...Dick Clark

This post is Dedicated to Dick Clark

He passed away today at the age of  82...

Television and radio personality Dick Clark died Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack.

“Entertainment Icon Dick Clark passed away this morning (4-18-12)  following a massive heart attack it was announced by his family,” his publicist said in a statement to CBS2. “Clark, 82, had entered St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica last night for an outpatient procedure. Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife Kari and his three children, RAC, Duane and Cindy.”

As the host of American Bandstand, he brought music to millions of teenagers in the 1950s without alienating their parents.

Dick Clark Productions created thousands of hours of television, particularly awards shows such as the Golden Globes, Daytime Emmy Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Dick Clark (1929-2012)

He was well known for his catchphrase when signing off: “For now, Dick Clark… so long...

-Losangeles.cbslocal.com

Dick's Bio...

Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on Nov. 30, 1929, Richard Wagstaff Clark began his lifelong career in show business began before he was even out of high school. He started working in the mail-room of WRUN, a radio station in upstate New York run by his father and uncle. It wasn't long before the teenager was on the air, filling in for the weatherman and the announcer.

Clark pursued his passion at Syracuse University, working as a disc jockey at the student-run radio station while studying for his degree in business. After graduating in 1951, Clark went back to his family's radio station, but within a year, a bigger city and bigger shows were calling.

Clark landed a gig as a DJ at WFIL in Philadelphia in 1952, spinning records for a show he called "Dick Clark's Caravan of Music."

There he broke into the big time, hosting Bandstand, an afternoon dance show for teenagers.
Within five years, the whole country was watching. ABC took the show national, and "American Bandstand" was born.

 

Blazing a New Trail in Pop Music

"American Bandstand's" formula was simple. Clean-cut boys and girls danced to the hottest hits and the newest singles. In between, Clark chatted with the teens, who helped "rate-a-record," turning songs into sensations. Everyone showed up on "American Bandstand," from Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry to Chubby Checker.

When Dick Clark moved to Hollywood in 1963, "American Bandstand" moved with him. He started Dick Clark Productions, and began cranking out one hit show after another; his name became synonymous with everything from the $25,000 "Pyramid" to "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes" to the "American Music Awards." In 1972, Dick Clark became synonymous with one of the biggest nights of the year.

New Year's Rockin' Eve

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" on ABC became a Dec. 31 tradition, with Clark hosting the festivities for more than three decades, introducing the entertainment acts and, of course, counting down to midnight as the ball dropped in New York's Times Square.

But the traditional celebration saw a temporary stop in 2004, when Clark suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and struggling to speak. Regis Philbin stepped in. But by the next New Year's Eve, Dick Clark was back, his speech still impaired. In halting words, he told the audience, "I had to teach myself how to walk and talk again. It's been a long, hard fight. My speech is not perfect but I'm getting there."

Clark was also diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes.

 

But that didn't stop him: he returned each year, and recently he was joined by Ryan Seacrest, the radio and television personality known for E!, "American Idol," and a reality TV empire.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark," Seacrest said in a statement today. "He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel. When I joined his show in 2006 , it was a dream come true to work with him every New Year's Eve for the last 6 years. He was smart, charming, funny and always a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him, and I'll always be indebted to him for his faith and support of me. He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him."

-Abcnews.go.com

American Bandstand through the years

(some of my favs)

Interviews

Random Pics

Dick Clark interviews Michael Jackson on American Bandstand before Michael's performance of "Ben." Hollywood, CA. 1971.

Dick Clark greets Gladys Knight & the Pips who perform "My Time" on American Bandstand, April 6, 1984. (ABC)

John Travolta is a guest on "American Bandstand," Sept. 15, 1976. Travolta was just one of a long string of celebrities and music guests to appear on Clark's show. (ABC)

 Dick Clark speaks with Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi, Ticco Torres and David Bryan on American Bandstand, June 11, 1985. (ABC)

Dick Clark interviews guest Little Richard on American Bandstand, July 24, 1964. (ABC)

Dick Clark and Lionel Richie on American Bandstand, Dec. 9, 1982. (ABC)

Dick Clark and Chubby Checker celebrate the 25th Anniversary Special on American Bandstand, Dec. 20, 1976. (ABC)

Dick Clark greets Cyndi Lauper who performs "Time After Time" on American Bandstand, March 17, 1984. (ABC)

Blues guitarist B.B. King appears on American Bandstand with host Dick Clark circa 1975 in Los Angeles, California.

Jerry Lee Lewis and Dick Clark pose for photos on American Bandstand, Oct. 17, 1964. (ABC)

Dick Clark welcomes singer Connie Francis to American Bandstand's 30th Anniversary Special. (ABC)

 Pics with Dick & some Rock Legends

Dick Clark and James Brown in 1973.

Dick Clark and Kiss in 2002.

Dick Clark and Motley Crue in 1997

Dick Clark and Debbie Harry in 1999.

Dick Clark and Gene Simmons in 2001.

Dick Clark and Cher in 2002.

Dick Clark and Kid Rock in 2002.

Dick Clark and Little Richard in 2002.

Dick Clark and Stevie Wonder in 2002.

Dick Clark, Natalie Cole, Clive Davis in 2002.

Dick Clark and Lionel Richie in 2003.

Dick Clark and Rod Stewart in 2003.

Dick Clark and Smokey Robinson in 1979.

Dick Clark and Bon Jovi in 2004.

Dick Clark and B.B King in 1975.

Dick Clark, Barry Manilow and Clive Davis in 1978.

Dick Clark and Cyndi Lauper in 1984.

Dick Clark and wife Kari during the New Years Eve broadcast in 2008.

Dick Clark, honored at the Emmy's by Ryan Seacrest, with wife Kari in 2010.

-Billboard.com

Music is the soundtrack of your life.

~Dick Clark

He was the World’s first TV Disc Jockey.

Another Legend gone. Music just will never be the same. 

I grew up watching American Bandstand, He will be truly missed by all.

Rest in Peace Dick.

Thanks for the memories.

 My condolences to his family. May God watch over them. 

A true American icon.