Originally posted by ABC News (abcnews.go.com)Dick Clark, Entertainment Icon Nicknamed 'America's Oldest Teenager,' Dies at 82
By JULIA KATHAN April 18, 2012
Dick Clark, the music industry maverick, longtime TV host and powerhouse producer who changed the way we listened to pop music with American Bandstand, and whose trademark Rockin' Eve became a fixture of New Year's celebrations, died today at the age of 82.
Clark's agent Paul Shefrin said in statement that the veteran host died this morning following a "massive heart attack." He is survived by his wife Kari and his three children, RAC, Duane, and Cindy.
Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on Nov. 30, 1929, Richard Wagstaff Clark began his lifelong career in show business began before he was even out of high school. He started working in the mailroom of WRUN, a radio station in upstate New York run by his father and uncle. It wasn't long before the teenager was on the air, filling in for the weatherman and the announcer.
everybody I saw online were talking about American Bandstand, but by the time I was a teen, it was pretty much on the downhill slide. MY personal memories of him will always be on the Pyramid games. He just had such an easy charm and a wonderful sense of humor. At least now I wont have to feel bad when they spray paint him tan, and wheel him out to mumble through the New Years Eve, I know it's a tradition and he loved doing it, but it was incredibly depressing.Just slightly less depressing than realizing Ryan Seacrest will be taking over full time from now on out.
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At my advanced age it was bandstand. In the pre-FM radio days it was how we learned what was out there. by the time we were a little older we made fun of the show. As the obits have relived his life, it's amazing how much he did.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeeverybody I saw online were talking about American Bandstand, but by the time I was a teen, it was pretty much on the downhill slide. MY personal memories of him will always be on the Pyramid games. He just had such an easy charm and a wonderful sense of humor. At least now I wont have to feel bad when they spray paint him tan, and wheel him out to mumble through the New Years Eve, I know it's a tradition and he loved doing it, but it was incredibly depressing.Just slightly less depressing than realizing Ryan Seacrest will be taking over full time from now on out.
I'm a little saddened.
Dick suffered a stroke some years ago. I noticed some improvement in the countdowns in the past few years. IMO, it isn't depressing that a stroke survivor wants to participate in HIS own show for the big moment. Seacrest was already carrying most of the duties; I'm sure Dick chose Seacrest to do emcee duties.
The senate puts all states, regardless of population, on equal footing. I think that was a pretty good idea, as small population states like Wyoming can get screwed in the House pretty easily. -Jag