Broadcasting legend Dick Clark passed away today. He was 82. Clark is probably best known to younger generations as the host of ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, but his career on TV dates all the way back to the 1950s.
Known as “America’s Oldest Teenager,” Dick Clark began his broadcasting career in radio as a DJ before moving to TV where he became the host of American Bandstand. Clark hosted the series from 1956 until 1989, and in that time introduced singers to his national audience that included Buddy Holly, Ike and Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, and Chubby Checker.
In 1972 Clark’s production company began to produce New Year’s Rockin’ Eve hosted by Mr. Clark, which has since become a traditional New Year’s Eve standard. The special from Time’s Square in New York continued to feature Clark even after his stroke in 2004, but the bulk of the hosting duties were handed over to Ryan Seacrest. Clark’s final appearance on the special was this past New Year’s Eve, 2011.
Dick Clark was a busy, busy man, and much like his protégé Seacrest, he had his hand in producing as well as hosting. Clark helped bring the Golden Globes to television along with the American Music Awards. His hosting/co-hosting duties included a string of game shows like Pyramid, Scattegories, and The Challengers, and along with Ed McMahon co-hosted TV Bloopers & Practical Jokes from 1984 to 1988.
Sadly, Clark passed away from a heart attack during an out-patient procedure at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
While he will be missed, his positive impact on the world of music and television will always be evident.