Dick Clark

(1929–2012)

Dick Clark — "America's Oldest Teenager" and the most enduring figure in American popular music television. Host of American Bandstand from 1956 to 1989, the show that introduced generations of American teenagers to rock and roll, soul, and pop. Also producer of New Year's Rockin' Eve for four decades.

Connection

In 1958, Phyllis Anderson danced with Dick Clark on television.

That is the whole sentence. That is the connection. In 1958, a young Phyllis Anderson appeared on American Bandstand and danced with its host.

Why Herbert Would Be Delighted

This is one of the finest entries in the vault. Hidden inside the biography of the woman Herbert married is a moment of pure American pop culture — a 1958 television appearance that most people would never think to mention. The contrast between Phyllis's pastoral and political connections (John Sobrino, Daniel Ortega) and this one is delightful.

Ten people with whom Dick Clark had regular, substantive contact across his career in television, music, and production:

• Ed McMahon – Clark and McMahon co-hosted and co-produced TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes together for years starting in 1984.
• Barry Manilow – A repeat presence on Clark productions, including the TV film Copacabana; Manilow was among the artists Clark actively promoted and worked with.
  • A favorite of Dick Jensen
• Merv Griffin – Griffin created Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, both of which Clark's production company was involved in distributing and producing; they operated in overlapping game show and entertainment territory throughout the 1970s–90s.
• Madonna – Clark's company produced the American Music Awards, where Madonna was a repeated major presence in the 1980s; American Bandstand also featured her early in her career, making Clark one of her first significant television boosters.