THE PASSING OF AN ICON
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
In many ways Dick Clark was the curator of American pop culture as well as one of its progenitors. His boyish charm helped ease counter cultural influences of Rock into American mainstream life. American Bandstand not only made stars and hit records, it made the connection between boomers and music.
Clark always seemed the cool and upbeat host and DJ, but he was also a skilled production executive and businessman.
He built an empire from his production of television specials, game shows and show business ownership.
I met Clark a few times, first as he promoted Dick Clark's caravan of Stars, then later as he tended to his restaurant franchise business. The last time was as the production company I was the head of did business with his giant company.
Of course, like Guy Lombardo before him, Clark is linked in many minds with New Year's Rockin Eve. I had very mixed feelings about his staying on the air, after his debilitating stroke. It was difficult to see the smooth television persona struggle. But it was also good for us, to see this determined and driven personality refuse to submit to a condition.
Clark pioneered much of contemporary American entertainment. He remained a pioneer to the end. Many
men of his age, wealth and condition would have simply backed away, but he stayed in the pop culture spot light he
helped illuminate.
This is not meant in an unkind way, but Ryan Seacrest is
the likely heir to the role in Americana that Clark created. It
may also be that a Seacrest stardom would have been impossible without the pioneering of Dick Clark. He was an original. Maybe even an American Idol.
WARNING
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See you down the trail
OK KOREA can have all of that stuff. Whatever it was.
ReplyDeleteWe have better memories with Dick Clark.
Dick Clark, OUT! -=w=-
Yikers! Not on my diet!
ReplyDeleteSlime eels? Really? Could have gone without that! Yes, send them to our friends in Korea.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom
ReplyDeleteTotally an American Idol. Also America's oldest teenager. We all move on at some point. What a great life.
Dick Clark was from a simpler, easier time - kids were kids. Kids could dance without the morals police looking for grinding. Music was written by folks who could read music. Most of it could be read and it wasn't more than PG (not even PG-13). Dick Clark was fun, he was entertaining, he was a classy guy. Too bad his version of 'hip' wasn't. Or perhaps it is but the world today is less simple and less easy and therefore can't appreciate all that Dick Clark was. And we are all poorer for that.
ReplyDeleteI worked with a woman who was a "B" dancer on American Bandstand. Florence was one of the kids in the Catholic school uniforms who would show up about once a week. Flo and I were dancing at a WHDH Christmas party and she said "where did you learn how to dance?" I said "watching AB after school." Flo replied "Thought so!"
ReplyDelete