By now you already know that Dick Clark died of a massive heart attack, he was 82.
For some of you he was just a creepy shaking mess on recent New Years Rockin' Eve. Ryan Seacrest was his wing man keeping the dream alive but truth is, he should have gone out with more dignity. Im not a big lover of obituaries. Mine will say.. Helen Bach- dead. That's it- the rest is up to those who give a hoot but I think in this particular case y'all need some schooling.
Dick Clark was an disc jockey back in the day when AM radio actually had music, he progressed to host American Bandstand. This is the point I want you aware of. Bandstand started in 1952 and ran strong until 1989. The show didn't start off with Dick but he jumped in as a fresh faced 26 year old with a suit and tie in 1952 and shook that show up more than Jerry Lee Lewis.
When Dick took over Bandstand , he insisted on racially integrating the show, since much of the music was performed by black recording artists. When the show moved to the network schedule of once a week (at one point it was daily!), it maintained its racially mixed stance which was really unheard of at the time. Culturally and socially bandstand crossed so many genres. Think about it, from he 50s through the 80's sets a music from Fabian to Van Halen.
There was always a group of cool kids dancing and giving their opinions on the tunes as well. Where now in visual media can you see and hear what they're opinions are? Ya cant. Online perhaps there is written forums but nothing on television lets you feel the culture of Americas youth. Damn shame if you ask me
So who graced the stage? Fats Domino, Public Image Ltd, Prince, Alabama, Little Richard, Sparks, Weird Al, REM, Teena Marie and Madness, get the picture? American Bandstand had it all. Thanks to Dick Clark and his fantastic business sense.
Say what you want about the ravages of time- but Dick Clark kicked major rock and roll ass. As Alyson suggested to us earlier, perhaps we should get a holographic Dick Clark for New Years Eve now, cuz the real guy is rockin his sock off at the pearly gates.
My faaaave!