Dick Clark (November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor….as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting American Bandstand from 1957 to 1988….who also hosted the game show Pyramid and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve….which transmitted Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebrations….as Clark was well known for his trademark sign-off….“For now, Dick Clark — so long!”….accompanied by a facsimile of a military salute.
As host of American Bandstand, Clark introduced rock & roll to many Americans…..as the show gave many new music artists their first exposure to national audiences….which included the likes of Iggy Pop, Ike & Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Talking Heads, Simon & Garfunkel and Madonna….as episodes he hosted were among the first in which blacks and whites performed on the same stage….and likewise among the first in which the live studio audience sat without racial segregation…..which explains why he was chosen by Motown founder Barry Gordy to provide this tribute to the famous record label on their 25th anniversary special. Singer Paul Anka claimed that Bandstand was responsible for creating a “youth culture”…..for which due to his perennially youthful appearance and his largely teen aged audience of American Bandstand….as Clark was often referred to as “America’s oldest teenager” or “the world’s oldest teenager”.
