When Dick Clark passed away recently, memories flash through our minds. For some, he was the host of a TV game show, originally known as the $10,000 Pyramid, which (perhaps due to inflation?) later evolved into the inflation friendly Pryamids ($20,000, $25,000, $50,00, and so on!)
Watch for a very young Rob Reiner and June Lockhart (the Mom from Lost in Space) in this clip!
For others, the TV memory of New Year's Rockin' Eve, hosted every year by Dick Clark from Time Square came to mind.
Yes, I recall the very popular game show and spent many New Year's Eves, albeit warm and dry in my living room, with Dick cranking out one headline act after another. But my nearest and dearest memory of the man affectionately known as "the world's oldest teenager" is wrapped within a TV classic known as American Bandstand, a show hosted by Dick Clark from 1956 to 1989(!!).
It was based on a really simple premise, one that maybe you had to experience to totally appreciate. What was it all about? Well for the most part, records played and we watched kids dance to the rock and roll. During each show, an artist or group who was often enjoying a hit record at that time would appear to lip sync the song (usually). Others would be introduced to share a blast from their musical past.
During Bandstand's run, guests ran the gambit from Run DMC performing Jam Master Jammin' to Jerry Lee Lewis singing Great Balls of Fire in 1957 (this clip is live, not lip synced):
Simple? Sure, but it worked. Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon holds the record for most Bandstand appearances, with the show's teenage regulars dancing to his music during a total of 110 appearances. Frequently, Freddy must have been trotting out one or more of his classics. Though he enjoyed many charted 45s, some of which I'm lucky enough to have in my collection, he had nowhere near 110 hits.
Originally Bandstand ran Monday through Friday and for me, watching it was an after school must. During a brief period, Dick even hosted a Saturday night version of Bandstand. Eventually the show moved to Saturdays only, generally running during the early afternoon, but TV season after TV season, there it was, renewed for another year.
Those of us who fondly recall bandstand as part of our kidhood can't forget a feature of the show called "Rate a Record". This segment involved the playing of a new record, later only part of a record, after which several of the show's current regular dancers would be asked to rate its hit potential within a range from 35 to 98. The criteria often revolved around whether the song "had a good beat" and whether or not it was "easy to dance to."
So during these early days, there was a huge variety of music that once made its way through the top 40 charts. Hard to believe but these songs were considered up and coming songs. The kids rate them pretty high, only one of the songs ever made it as a minor hit (the last one). The songs seem quaintly dated, but what it does show that today, music within a format is strictly limited, so that it can present a seldom deviating sound. But back in the Bandstand days, that certain sound consisted of anything that was popular at the time, not to mention anything that the station's music director believed to be deserving of a chance. American Bandstand reflected the same personality and philosophy.
A simpler show for a simpler time. No videos, no glitz, no glamour. Just one man proving week after week that he knew what teens wanted and knew how to deliver it. On AM Top 40 radio during those early days, strong and memorable personalities dotted the dial. There were no cue cards, and no station images fashioned by consultants. Those early rock and roll radio days will no doubt be a topic for another post.
They were magical moments from a far more innocent time. But for me, when it comes to rock and roll TV personalities, Dick Clark stands alone. So Dick, when it comes to Bandstand, it was easy to dance to and it had a great beat. I'll give it a 98.
~Larry
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