Dick Clark "The World's Oldest Teenager"

By the age of ten, Dick Clark, knew he wanted to be a radio personality, but I don't think he would be as significant to the American culture as he is today. He was raised in Mount Vernon, NY with his older brother. After graduating from Syracuse University his first job was working at his uncle’s radio station, where he would help out as a child. His first television-hosting job was on Cactus Dick and the Santa Fe Riders, a country music program.

 In 1952, Bob Horn’s Bandstand, was a radio show that Clark filled in for on a regular basis when Horn went on vacation. In ’56, Horn was arrested for a DUI and was dismissed from the show, that year Clark became the show’s permanent host. The show was picked up by ABC television network, and was later called American Bandstand. Clark’s first interview was with Elvis Presley on August 5, 1957.

 “He was able to use his unparalleled communication skills to present rock ‘n rock in a way that was palatable to parents”- Michael Uslan, Producer

In 1963, Clark branched out into hosting game shows, which were canceled rather early, but he was the first host of $25,000 Pyramid in 1973. He won three Emmy Awards for the best game show. Clark retired in 1988 from the show.

In 1972, Clark produced and hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. He is the one who made the count down famous! Clark was unable to host the ‘04/’05 show because he was recovering from a stroke. The next year he returned along side Ryan Secrest. Clark commented, “Last year I had a stroke. It left me in bad shape. I had to teach myself how to walk and talk again. It’s been a long, hard fight. My speech is not perfect but I’m getting there”. Before counting down for 2006, he mentions he “wouldn’t have missed this for the world”.

On April 18, 2012, Clark died from a heart attack following surgery to fix and enlarged prostate. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. After Clark’s death, President Barack Obama praised Clark’s career, “With American Bandstand, he introduced decades’ worth of viewers to the music of our time. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer. And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into out homes to ring in the New Year.” 

In 1990, Rolling Stone magazine noted, “over two-thirds of the people who’ve been initiated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had their television débuts on American Bandstand”. Dick Clark has made an impact on American pop culture for decades, and touched many hearts. He is present in many of my childhood memories, watching his Rockin' New Year's Eve in several different houses because my family moved so much through out my life. He was an extremely neat person to learn about and it's so upsetting to know that he is gone, but he will forever be remembered.