"America's oldest teenager," Dick Clark, the perennially youthful, clean-cut host of American Bandstand during 1956 through 1989, was a true television icon.
Says Wikipedia of Bandstand: "The show's popularity helped Dick Clark become an American media mogul and inspired similar long-running music programs, such as Soul Train and Top of the Pops. Clark eventually assumed ownership of the program through his Dick Clark Productions company."
The only person to ever co-host Bandstand with Dick Clark was Donna Summer, who joined him to present a special episode dedicated to the release of the Casablanca film Thank God It's Friday in May 1978.
Eight years ago, Dick Clark suffered a massive stroke. His severely impaired speech proved no obstacle as Clark still returned to his New Year's Rockin' Eve show on December 31, 2005 and appeared on every New Year's Rockin' Eve through the 2011/2012 show.
As a trivia aside, not only is Mr Clark's nickname "Dick," his middle name is "Wagstaff." Below, Barry Manilow sings "American Bandstand," a tribute to the show and its host, in an unfortunately goofy video. (Hey, it was the best I could come up with!)
Goodnight, Dick Clark, we will especially miss you come New Year's rockin' eve.
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