ruthie
04-19-2012, 04:24 PM
Richard Wagstaff "Dick" Clark[2] (November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American radio and television personality, best known for hosting television's longest-running variety show, American Bandstand, from 1957 to 1987. He also hosted the game show Pyramid and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, which transmitted Times Square's New Year's Eve celebrations worldwide.
As host of American Bandstand, with his strong communication skills, he was a "primary force in legitimizing rock 'n roll," not only to teenagers, but also to America's adult population. The show gave many new music artists their first exposure to national audiences, includingIke and Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Talking Heads, and Simon & Garfunkel. His shows were among the first where blacks and whites performed on the same stage and the live audience seating was desegregated. Singer Paul Anka claims that his show was responsible for creating a "youth culture," and due to his youthful appearance, Clark was often referred to as "America's oldest teenager".
As a successful businessperson,[3] he served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he sold part of late in his life. He also founded the American Bandstand Diner, a restaurant chain modeled after the Hard Rock Cafe. Beginning in 1973, he created and produced the annual American Music Awards show, similar to the Grammy Awards.
Clark suffered a significant stroke in late 2004. With speech ability still impaired, Clark returned to his New Year's Rockin' Eve show on December 31, 2005/January 1, 2006. Subsequently, he appeared at the Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006, and every New Year's Rockin' Eve show through the 2011/2012 show. Clark died on April 18, 2012, after suffering a heart attack following a medical procedure
As host of American Bandstand, with his strong communication skills, he was a "primary force in legitimizing rock 'n roll," not only to teenagers, but also to America's adult population. The show gave many new music artists their first exposure to national audiences, includingIke and Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Talking Heads, and Simon & Garfunkel. His shows were among the first where blacks and whites performed on the same stage and the live audience seating was desegregated. Singer Paul Anka claims that his show was responsible for creating a "youth culture," and due to his youthful appearance, Clark was often referred to as "America's oldest teenager".
As a successful businessperson,[3] he served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he sold part of late in his life. He also founded the American Bandstand Diner, a restaurant chain modeled after the Hard Rock Cafe. Beginning in 1973, he created and produced the annual American Music Awards show, similar to the Grammy Awards.
Clark suffered a significant stroke in late 2004. With speech ability still impaired, Clark returned to his New Year's Rockin' Eve show on December 31, 2005/January 1, 2006. Subsequently, he appeared at the Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006, and every New Year's Rockin' Eve show through the 2011/2012 show. Clark died on April 18, 2012, after suffering a heart attack following a medical procedure