Born Richard Wagstaff Clark in upstate New York in 1929, Dick started his career in the mailroom of radio station WRUN. A Syracuse University graduate, Clark later worked at WKTV in Utica as staff announcer before moving to Philadelphia and WFIL-TV (now WPVI) in 1952. It was there where he did "Dick Clark's Caravan of Music" and in 1956, became the new host of a local dance show called "Bandstand" after original host Bob Horn was given the pink slip. The fledgling ABC network took notice, and the following year the program went national airing weekday afternoons and later Saturday afternoons.
From 1957-89, "American Bandstand" ran for 20 years on ABC before moving to syndication and then the USA Network for its last two years. Decades before MTV, BET, "Soul Train" (with Don Cornelius, who passed a couple months ago), and YouTube, "Bandstand" was the premiere destination where music's hottest acts of the day ranging from Buddy Holly to Barry Manilow, the Beach Boys to the Beastie Boys, The Supremes to Madonna, the Jackson 5 (and Janet) to Bon Jovi, and countless others bursted into our living rooms in light of changing times and trends worldwide. Dances like the Twist, Mash Potato, and the formation of the letters "Y-M-C-A" were created on Bandstand, which led to them being huge hits at parties and dances. The show was also notable for "Rate-a-Record", in which audience members tried out and danced to the newest hits all while giving it a score from 35 to 98 and the phrase "It got a good beat and it's easier to dance to" became a part of our lexicon. Of course, that was long before CD and iTunes previews.
In the early 1960s, Clark moved his base to Los Angeles and started Dick Clark Productions with Bandstand as its flagship program. The company has produced dozens of television shows and specials including the American Music Awards, "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" (aka Punk'd 1.0), "Will You Marry Me?", "American Dreams", "Challenge of the Child Geniuses", the Golden Globe Awards, "Greed", "Where The Action Is", "Let's Make A Deal" (1990 version), the Academy of Country Music Awards, "Celebrity Boxing", "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction?", and "So You Think You Can Dance." They also did TV movies such as "The Man in the Santa Claus Suit", the Emmy and Peabody-winning "The Woman Who Willed A Miracle", and just recently, "The Bling Ring" for Lifetime (no relation to the one Emma Watson's currently shooting). DCP expanded beyond television production with other ventures including Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri and American Bandstand Grill restaurants all over the country.
Speaking of movies, Dick even starred in "Because They're Young" in 1960, followed by an unfortunate cameo in Michael Moore's Oscar-winning documentary "Bowling For Columbine."
Clark was also a splendid game show host, most notably for the $20,000, $25,000, and $100,000 Pyramids. Besides those, he also did "The Object Is", "The Challengers" (which he also produced), "Scattergories", and "Winning Lines" (CBS' short-lived attempt to cash in on the million-dollar game show craze in 1999-2000). Other work from outside his production company included "The Other Half" (with Mario Lopez and Danny Bonaduce), the U.S. version of "The Krypton Factor" in 1981 and in the early '90s, host of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. At one point in the '80s, Dick had a show on each of the Big Three networks: Bandstand on ABC, Bloopers on NBC, and the $25,000 Pyramid on CBS.
But of course, there was one other thing that truly defined Dick Clark to the end, and it summed up in four simple words: New Year's Rockin' Eve! Except for 2004-05 when he was suffering a stroke (Regis Philbin did the honors), we counted down the final few seconds of the old year with Clark while celebrating the first few moments of the new. With his speech still slurred due to his stroke, the countdown to 2012 with successor Ryan Seacrest would be his last appearance, though the last news from him would be putting up his Bedrock-style home in Malibu for sale in March.
Upon news of his death, tributes immediately started to pour in from everybody young and old; here are some of them:
- Ryan Seacrest: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. 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."
- Motown founder Berry Gordy: "I’m saddened and devastated over the loss of my dear friend, Dick Clark. We were friends for over 50 years. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family, especially his wonderful wife, Kari, who took such incredible care of him always. Dick was always there for me and Motown, even before there was a Motown. He was an entrepreneur, a visionary and a major force in changing pop culture and ultimately influencing integration. It happened first emotionally. Music can do that. He didn’t do it from a soap box, he just did it. That’s who he was. ‘American Bandstand’ was a platform for all artists. For me personally, he helped bring Motown into living rooms across America. Dick did everything with class, style and integrity. He was a true gentleman. His groundbreaking achievements in music and television ensure that his legacy will live on forever."
- Gladys Knight: "My heart and prayers go out to the Clark family… A true inspiration…"
- Larry King: "Dick Clark was a great friend, true legend, & a master journalist. Nobody did what he did better. It was a pleasure to be in his company."
- Smokey Robinson: "I loved Dick Clark. He was so instrumental in my career as well as all the other Motown acts and so many others in the recording business. Good bye my friend, rest in peace."
- Quincy Jones: “Rest in Peace my good friend Dick Clark. A pioneer who’s mark on American culture will be felt forever."
- President Barack Obama: "Michelle and I are saddened to hear about the passing of Dick Clark. With 'American Bandstand,' he introduced decades' worth of viewers to the music of our times. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer. And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year. But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel - as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final 'so long' to Dick Clark, America's oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends - which number far more than he knew."
- Neil Patrick Harris: "For ever, Dick Clark... So long."
And to that, we say...so long (and stay strong).
