``American Bandstand'' Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Prime-Time ABC-TV Special.

Business Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2001

In the Spring of 2002, the ABC Television Network will mark the 50th anniversary of an American institution with a two-hour, prime-time special produced by dick clark productions, inc. (Nasdaq:DCPI).

In 1952, WFIL-TV in Philadelphia began airing an afternoon dance show. In 1956, Dick Clark became the host of that show, and on August 5, 1957, he brought "American Bandstand" to the national airwaves for the first time.

The show aired each weekday afternoon for two and a half hours. On that August afternoon, the first record spun was "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" by Jerry Lee Lewis. The show went on to play over 65,000 records (launching a countless number of them onto the best seller charts) which were danced to by over 600,000 in-studio teenagers. The show logged more than 6,000 hours of airtime and presented over 10,000 musical guest appearances. Just a few of the musical artists who made their network television debuts or breakthrough performances on "American Bandstand" were (alphabetically) Bryan Adams, The Beach Boys, Beastie Boys, Chuck Berry, Blondie, Michael Bolton, Bon Jovi, James Brown, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, The Doors, Gloria Estefan, Marvin Gaye, The Go-Go's, Buddy Holly, The Jackson 5, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Cyndi Lauper, LL Cool J, Madonna, Barry Manilow, John Mellencamp, George Michael, Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Run DMC, Sonny & Cher, Rod Stewart, The Temptations, John Travolta, Ike & Tina Turner, The Village People and Stevie Wonder. International dance crazes such as The Twist, The Hustle and breakdancing were introduced to the public on the show.

The show literally became part of the American landscape, with the original "American Bandstand" podium and backdrop being put on display at the Smithsonian Institution. Over the years, the show was the recipient of five Emmy Awards.

It was more than just a TV show about popular music. It was a window on the changing world of popular culture. The subject matter kept changing -- the music, the kids, the clothes and the dances -- but the format always remained basically the same. Dick played the music, the kids danced and America watched. "Rate-A-Record" became part of the American jargon.

There are far too many memorable moments from the show to list them all, but here are a few from just the early days:

-- On November 22 in 1957, the musical guests were the unheralded duo, "Tom &
Jerry." They would later record under their real names, Simon & Garfunkel.

-- Once the show went national, fan mail for the regular dancers on the show
was coming in at the rate of 15,000 letters a week.

-- In the Summer of 1960, Chubby Checker made his second appearance on
"American Bandstand" performing "The Twist," which went on to become one of the
biggest dance crazes of all time.

-- In 1963, a song by a new English group received a so-so rating of 73 on
"Rate-A-Record." The song was "She Loves You" by The Beatles.

-- In January 1980, Prince made his TV debut on "American Bandstand." During
that appearance, he was interviewed by Dick Clark. This marked the first
recorded public interview he had ever given and the last time there was such an
occurrence for over a decade.

ABC will salute this American treasure with a two-hour prime-time special next Spring. On the show, Clark will present classic moments from the past, as well as "live" performances by superstar musical attractions spanning the past five decades.

The special, a dick clark productions, inc. presentation with Clark serving as Executive Producer, will be produced by Larry Klein and directed by Barry Glazer.

dick clark productions, inc. is a leading independent producer of a wide range of television programming for broadcast networks, cable networks, distributors and advertisers, as well as a leading creator of award-winning communications experiences from live events and meetings to integrated marketing programs for major corporations. dick clark restaurants, inc., a subsidiary, licenses and operates "Dick Clark's American Bandstand" casual dining restaurants under a variety of names.