Dick Clark
Born Richard Wagstaff Clark in Mount Vernon, New York, Dick Clark started his broadcasting career in radio while in high school. After the regular broadcaster of the Philadelphia television show “Bandstand” lost his job due to drunken driving, Clark filled in for him.
On August 5, 1957 the show went national as “American Bandstand.” Clark’s island was easy to get thrown off of–The rules for teenagers dancing on the show were strict. Boys had to wear coat and tie; girls could not wear tight sweaters or slacks. Smoke or chew gum and you were off the show.
Clark’s American Bandstand provided the first national television exposure for such rock ‘n roll stars as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. Clark was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Unfortunately, in December 2004 he suffered what was termed a “mild stroke”, but as a consequence was not able to fulfill his traditional duty of hosting the Times Square New Years festivities.
Not to mention the 2006 Dick Clark new year show….ugh
Naturally you’ll want to pick up your copy of Dick Clark’s Easygoing Guide to Good Grooming
~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com
Technorati tags: Dick Clark, American Bandstand, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
