I recall waking up on Saturday mornings and watching a show, American Bandstand. From one hit wonders to musical gods he introduced us to each of them over the years. Dick Clark, ageless and timeless, he seemed to me. Today, an end of an era for those of us who grew up watching Bandstand and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve...we salute one last time to Clark, who died today from a massive heart attack at age 82.
Here's a quick reference to all the acts who ever performed and/or interviewed on American Bandstand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acts_who_appeared_on_American_Bandstand
The show, American Bandstand, aired from 1952 to 1989. Clark was the host from 1956 until its final season. He became a media and music mogul, leaving an impact on all that was music and dance...an imprint that was made, and undoubtedly will remain. He has turned out more than 7,500 hours of programming on our television sets; 30 series, 250 specials, and 20+ movies for theater and TV. Clark's accolades include: Emmys, Grammys, Inductee to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. and a star on the Hollywood Wall of Fame.
Eternally youthful, he "owned" that. He remarked, when asked about his youthful appearance after all these years, "it's just good genes". Forever young, he has left an indelible mark on nameless faceless fans of television and music..today, yesterday, tomorrow.
So today, we should salute, using that same gesture to him as he did to all of us at the end of every show...on every Saturday morning that we welcomed him into our living rooms. The next generation will, (in all likelihood) view Seacrest carrying the torch that Clark so brilliantly lit. As for the kids of the 60s, 70s and 80s...we will always and only know Clark as king. What a presence. It is only fitting, that I conclude with simply this... his own catchphrase, "For now, Dick Clark, so long"...
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