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Post by mysteryguest on Apr 18, 2012 16:40:48 GMT -5
Dick Clark, Legendary Producer, Has Died
03:52 pm
April 18, 2012
by Eyder Peralta
Danny Moloshok /AP Dick Clark.
Dick Clark, the legendary television producer who became a national icon with American Bandstand in 1950s, has died. He was 82.
Clark, known as the the "world's oldest teenager," produced American Bandstand for over 30 years.
"The original American Bandstand was one of network TV's longest-running series as part of ABC's daytime lineup from 1957 to 1987. Over the years, it introduced stars ranging from Buddy Holly to Michael Jackson to Madonna," the AP writes.
To younger audiences, he is perhaps best known for hosting ABC's New Year's Eve special. He started hosting that in 1972. In 2004, Clark suffered a stroke that affected his speech. Still, he continued to make television appearances.
Clark's spokesman confirmed his death to NPR, but he did not provide a cause of death.
Update at 4:05 p.m. ET. Heart Attack:
The AP, ABC News and The New York Timesare reporting that Clark died of a heart attack today. The AP reports that Clark died at Saint John's hospital in Santa Monica, "where he had gone the day before for an outpatient procedure."
The Times has a bit more on Clark's most recent appearances:
"Mr. Clark and his countdown show, 'New Year's Rockin' Eve,' have been synonymous with New Year's Eve for decades. His role on the program was scaled back after he suffered a stroke in 2004, but he was back last December to count down to midnight and kiss his wife, Kari.
"In an interview via e-mail last December, Mr. Clark said he presumed that for many viewers, it's 'comforting to see a familiar face who has been there for the past 40 years.'
"He added that for viewers who have a physical disability, his appearances 'may serve as a source of inspiration.'"
Clark is survived by his wife and three children.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 18, 2012 18:45:45 GMT -5
I recall Linda's appearance on "American Bandstand" in 1969, recalling her "singing" "Break My Mind" and a song I still have a strong dislike of, "We Need a Whole Lot More of Jesus," but for which I thought was a pretty gutsy thing for a then 22 or 23 year old country-rock singer to be doing. And seems like (if my memory isn't playing tricks on me), Linda also did one of the "Rockin' New Year's Eve" specials. I keep thinking she did the first one but it may have been the second one as I think one of the songs she did was "Love Has No Pride." But, it seems like almost every major artist there ever was was on "American Bandstand" although I recall Dick Clark expressing regret over the fact that he was never able to book Elvis or the Beatles onto the show. But, I think he also said he did conduct an on-air phone interview with both early in their careers. Music critics sometime dismiss his contributions but his weekly AB shows plus "Action" and "Happening" plus the "Rockin' New Years Eve" programs brought long haired rock and rollers into American homes and helped to win over most adults or at least convince many of them that rock and rollers were no threat to their kids or their way of life. He treated the musicians with respect unlike Steve Allen or stonefaced Ed Sullivan, both of whom have gotten far more credit from the rock critics than what they deserved, and neither of whom liked rock music or rock musicians in particular. Allen and Sullivan treated the music and artists with scorn and contempt, even though rock musicians brought up the ratings of their shows. Clark's AB ratings probably never rose to the level of the Allen and Sullivan shows but the rock music critics need to give him the credit he rightfully derseved . With his passing that may happen but I've got my doubts it will.
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Post by Dianna on Apr 18, 2012 18:51:36 GMT -5
RIP Dick Clark did a lot for music. Very sad day. Is the Linda/American Bandstand Performance available on youtube .I don't recall seeing that one.
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Post by erik on Apr 18, 2012 18:57:05 GMT -5
Quote by dianna:
I don't think it is, I'm sorry to say. But at Getty Images, there are pics of Our Girl performing on New Year's Rockin' Eve from 1973.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 18, 2012 19:08:54 GMT -5
RIP Dick Clark did a lot for music. Very sad day. Is the Linda/American Bandstand Performance available on youtube .I don't recall seeing that one. As far as I know, it's not available. I wish it were but I believe youtube has no actual video footage from any of the AB shows. I do recall there is a poor quality audio from an AB show, Michael Nesmith of the Monkees performing his song "Joanne" totally live at the time, as well as the interview. If Linda's AB was to be broadcast, I think she'd probably cringe from embarrassment as my memory (which may be faulty) of her performing "We Need a Whole Lot More of Jesus" included her agreeing with the sentiments of that song during the final moments of the interview segment. I think Linda was a lot more conservative in those days and maybe a little more innocent.  |
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Post by Dianna on Apr 18, 2012 19:25:34 GMT -5
A shame the video is not available. I would love to have seen her interview as well. Many in the industry seem to respect and like him as a person. Hopefully one day the video will surface.
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Post by mysteryguest on Apr 18, 2012 19:29:32 GMT -5
It may be more accurate than you think given her dislike or tolerence for the Rock genre. In many peoples minds Jesus the philosopher seems totally disconnected from much of today's Christianity, especially the evangelical crap that passes for religion.
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Post by erik on Apr 18, 2012 20:31:16 GMT -5
Quote by mysterguest:
I think the talk about her supposed "dislike" for the rock genre is grossly distorted, to be brutally honest. Besides, I think she recorded "We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus" in a way that could hardly be called straight; if anything, it was a blackly comic send-up of the Religious Right, such as it was in 1969, and how they've distorted Jesus. Linda herself, if anything, has been practically anti-religious, which is, however, not the same as being against God.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 18, 2012 20:53:43 GMT -5
I don't think Linda has as much dislike for rock as one might think, but as Jesus the philosopher being totally disconnected from today's Christianity, remember that we're talking about Linda in 1969, not 2012, when Christianity was perhaps a lot more rigid than what it is today. Linda's religious ideas in 1969 might've been a little more closer to her Catholic upbringing although that was about the same time that she expressed belief in reincarnation for which most Christian churches (including the Catholic church) rejected as anathema to its particular religious dogma. I don't think Linda is as comfortable today with the church and religion, particularly with the mixing of partisan politics. But, it's also possible she keeps whatever religious or spiritual beliefs she holds to herself. She certainly comes across as more of a Christian (don't kill me, Linda, for saying that if you happen to be reading any of this) than others who call themselves Christian and who pubblicly flaunt their beliefs but rarely practice it either publicly or privately. |
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Post by erik on Apr 18, 2012 21:47:19 GMT -5
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 18, 2012 22:49:48 GMT -5
Those are some great pics of Linda, Erik...boy, was she stunningly beautiful in those days! She still is, speaking for myself. I was trying to recall her appearance on "Rockin' New Years Eve" and the songs she performed that night. I'm pretty sure she did "Love Has No Pride" and maybe "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" or possibly yet another performance of "You're No Good," which she had yet to release on record but for which she had been performing since '72. The photo of Linda playing the acoustic Ovation guitar is a bit of a mystery as I don't remember playing guitar on that special. Of course, I don't remember everything from all those years ago, so it's quite possible she did indeed play the guitar on one of the songs. What I wouldn't give to be living those days again!
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Post by erik on Apr 18, 2012 23:01:02 GMT -5
It's just another good reason for someone to dig deep into the vaults for that performance, which I think may have been her only time doing it.
Re. her appearance on American Bandstand, apparently her only one on that show too, the only song it says she did there was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" with her backing band the Corvettes. The air date on that was 05/03/69.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 18, 2012 23:02:43 GMT -5
And just to get back on subject, this was Peter Asher's response to the death of Dick Clark:
“I worked with Dick in so many different ways over the decades and he was always a true gentleman and a man of integrity and style. In the old days, Gordon and I had the pleasure of appearing live on The Dick Clark Caravan of Stars alongside so many extraordinary acts – The Shirelles, The Drifters, Tom Jones, Jackie de Shannon and so many more. Dick put some brilliant tours together and I could tell you stories of life on the bus that would amaze you! And on TV we got to appear on Bandstand, Where the Action Is and more. And finally as the manager of Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor I spoke to Dick frequently and we worked together as often as we could. He was a man of irrepressible enthusiasm and determined good humour. And he never gave up. He will be greatly missed as a friend and as a true pillar of the classic age of the rock and roll business.”
Wish Peter would share some of those tour stories...fascinating times they were. Likewise, hope Dick's estate will get around to releasing video footage of all the regular music series and specials he produced, but if it happens, that's probably sometime off in the far future.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 18, 2012 23:21:54 GMT -5
It's just another good reason for someone to dig deep into the vaults for that performance, which I think may have been her only time doing it. Re. her appearance on American Bandstand, apparently her only one on that show too, the only song it says she did there was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" with her backing band the Corvettes. The air date on that was 05/03/69. Re: RNYE'73: Definitely a good reason for someone to find those performances. I can't recall her doing another RNYE show though I don't recall watching them much after the 70s. She could've done one in the 80s although I don't recall ever seeing a mention. Re: Linda's AB appearance. I definitely remember Linda doing two songs with the two songs being "Break My Mind" and "We Need a Whole Lot More of Jesus." I don't remember the Corvettes or any backing band appearing on the show with her but again, it's been so long, it's possible they could've been there but I only remember her being there. Could Linda have recorded a version of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" in 1969 (with Chip Douglas producing) that's unreleased since the version that was released was very unlikely to have been recorded around that time? The only artist I remember performing live on AB was the previously mentioned Michael Nesmith but everyone else I recall seeing on that show lip synced to their records. I know there was a book on AB and the solo artists and bands who appeared on the show indicated Nesmith also performed "Nevada Fighter," which was his current single at the time but he didn't perform the song at all. The AB dancers danced to the recording of the tune but the book didn't mention that fact. |
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Post by rick on May 4, 2012 17:08:40 GMT -5
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Post by the Scribe on May 4, 2012 19:13:34 GMT -5
How cool. Thanks for posting that!
I think had Dick been running the RRHOF things would have been quite different. He was probably the most influential non-musician in the music industry and certainly a product of his time when it comes to "the place" of musicians. He believed in the "shut up and sing" theory which Conservatives love because that freedom of speech is usually directed towards contrary views from theirs.
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Post by philly on May 9, 2012 23:58:31 GMT -5
I used to watch Bandstand back in the day, but not for the performers, who ALWAYS did the lip-synch thing. I watched it for the dancers. I DO recall Dick having the Bay City Rollers on, giving them a huge push...even calling them the next Beatles!  One hit, 'Saturday Night', & I'm sure they weren't even songwriters, and they're the second coming of Lennon-McCartney? I didn't get it...till (years?) later I learned DC had a big financial interest in the BCR's. |
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One hit, 'Saturday Night', & I'm sure they weren't even songwriters, and they're the second coming of Lennon-McCartney? I didn't get it...till (years?) later I learned DC had a big financial interest in the BCR's.