Dick Clarks American Bandstand 

By Nancy A. Meadows-Galloway
 
Dick Clark was born Richard Wagstaff Clark on November 30, 1929. His family lived in a small suburb of New York City called Bronxville.

His life as a small child was not unlike most children raised in middle-class suburbia. He had an older brother whom he idolized, and two loving parents who doted on both children.

When he was thirteen he discovered his calling when his parents took him to a live broadcast of the Jimmy Durante/Gary Moore radio program. He knew that he was destined for a life in radio.

After numerous jobs in radio, Dick became the host for the Philadelphia TV program “Bandstand” which was at the time hosted by Bob Horn, he was only 26 years old.

The Philadelphia “Bandstand” began as a local dance show in October of 1952 on WFIL-Channel 6. It was decided in August of ’57 that the show needed a fresh face, which was Dick Clark, as television was becoming a popular medium.
 

“Dick Clark’s American Bandstand” premiered on August 1, 1957 and was an instant hit. It debuted nationally on August 5th-9th of that same year on ABC-TV.
 

One of the regular segments on the show was “Rate-A-Record”. Three dancers were chosen from the audience, a song was played and then they would give the record a rating, the lowest rating being 35 and the highest being 98.
 

Three more segments that were popular on the show were the “spotlight dance” and the “dance contest”, along with “AB’s Top Ten”.
 

In 1963 “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand” was moved to Los Angeles. The show remained there until the last airing in September of ’87.
 

On September 5, 1987 the final “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand” show aired and Dick Clark said his goodbye’s to his loyal following. The very last song played was Laura Brannigans “Shattered Glass”.
 

When “Dick Clarks American Bandstand” went off the air it was the end of an era. “Bandstand” appealed not only to teens but also to older generations. It was a show that the smallest of children could watch without the prospect of any impropriety unlike today’s MTV and VH1. It was wholesome television for the entire family.

 

American Bandstand Facts:

The first song played on the show was Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ on.
 

The first guests to appear on the Dick Clark hosted show was Billy Williams and the Chordettes.
 

B.B. King was the only performer on the show who did not lip synch.
 

The “American Bandstand” theme song was written by Barry Manilow and Bruse Sussman. The music was written by Charles Albertine.