US TV Presenter Dick Clark Dies: American Bandstand

[webfact]

Dick Clark dies of heart attack aged 82

Dick Clark 1961. File photo, source: wikimedia

One of America's best-known veteran television personalities, Dick Clark, has died aged 82.

Clark, who presented the long-running music show American Bandstand and an annual New Year's Eve special, had a heart attack, his agent said.

He had continued working even after suffering a debilitating stroke in 2004.

ABC's American Bandstand show introduced stars ranging from Buddy Holly to Michael Jackson to Madonna.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk...canada-17763412

-- BBC 2012-04-19

[webfact]

Dick Clark

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Clark

[exeter]

This is world news? Must be a quiete day with not much happening then.

[Scott]

Yes, it is World News and I have no idea if it's a quiet day, but some people feel the need to post even if they have nothing to say.

RIP, Mr. Clark, a generation and more grew up with you.

[lopburi3]

As part of that generation was always amazed that as we got older but he appeared the same young man for so many, many years. Now time to face our mortality I fear.

[how241]

R.I.P. .....A American icon.

[Somnambulist]

Don Cornelius passed this year, too, the inventor of Soul Train. RIP

[webfact]

RIP, Mr. American Bandstand...

[yeeowww]

This is world news? Must be a quiete day with not much happening then.

What planet are you from Exeter? This is very major and very sad news to anyone who is a fan of rock music.

With his show American Bandstand, this man paved the way for the likes of Buddy Holly, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry (In his 1958 hit "Sweet Little Sixteen," he sang "they'll be rocking on Bandstand, Philadelphia, P-A.". Chuck made his national TV debut on American Bandstand Nov. 8, 1957 singing “Rock and Roll Music.”), Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Connie Francis, Pat Boone, Simon & Garfunkel, Andy Williams, Jackie Wilson, Ricky Nelson, The Animals, Janis Joplin, the Jackson 5, Talking Heads, Prince, The Go-Go's, Tom Petty, and many others too numerous to mention. It was he who bridged the rebellious new music scene and traditional show business, bringing it to the world on his show American Bandstand. He defended pop artists and artistic freedom. He helped give black artists their due by playing original R&B recordings instead of cover versions by white performers, and he condemned censorship.He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. He did more for changing the face of music during the 50's, 60's, 70's and even into the 80's single-handedly than almost anyone else. He is a legend and an American icon.

I guess the president of the USA finding it noteworthy really doesn't mean much either, huh Exeter?...

however President Barack Obama noted the nostalgia. "More important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel — as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was,"

He made millions feel good. He was a friend you could find giving something new and exciting every week. He inspired and opened minds and souls.

I hope someday you can aspire to accomplish even a sliver of what Dick Clark did, instead of just tossing this titan's memory aside.

God Bless you Dick Clark. Your are a national treasure.

[mungostjohn]

This is world news? Must be a quiete day with not much happening then.

I was the best manager in the world but I was certainly in the top 1.??? Maybe in your own little world.

Anyone who hasn't been influenced by Dick Clark's American Bandstand is not worth knowing.