ON THE 'BANDSTAND' AFTER 50 YEARS, DICK CLARK'S GROUNDBREAKING SHOW STILL ATTRACTS MUSIC GIANTS.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer `Umm, it has a good beat and you can dance to it.'' That famous verdict by bobby soxers Bobby soxer was a term coined in the 1940s to describe the overly zealous, usually teenage, fans of singer Frank Sinatra, who was the first singing teen idol. Typically, they would wear poodle skirts while rolling their socks down to ankle level. appearing on ``American Bandstand American Bandstand durable and popular TV show; teenagers are featured performers. [TV: Terrace, I, 52] See : Teenager ,'' the first network TV show dedicated exclusively to rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. , is still the final word on new pop product some 50 years after the phrase was first stammered between sharp snaps of Bazooka bazooka, in warfare, portable, lightweight metal tube from which rockets are launched, usually operated by two men. It is used by infantry as an antitank weapon and also for attacking pillboxes and bunkers. bubble gum. ``American Bandstand's'' iconic ``Rate-A-Record'' segment, where teens would listen and then appraise appraise v. to professionally evaluate the value of property including real estate, jewelry, antique furniture, securities, or in certain cases the loss of value (or cost of replacement) due to damage. a new single, was just one of many farsighted far·sight·ed or far-sight·ed adj. 1. Able to see distant objects better than objects at close range; hyperopic. 2. Capable of seeing to a great distance. features of the now-defunct Saturday-afternoon series that lives on in museums, music archives and the fond memories of those who appeared on the ABC TV
Hosted by perennial nice guy Dick Clark
Richard Wagstaff "Dick" Clark (born November 30, 1929) is an Emmy Award-winning American television, radio personality, game show host and businessman, he served as from 1956 to 1987, which was most of its broadcast life, ``Bandstand'' was the forerunner of the multiple cable networks now devoted to various kinds of pop music programming. By featuring artists lip-syncing their latest songs, it gave much of the national audience its first glimpse First Glimpse is a monthly consumer electronics magazine published by Sandhills Publishing Company in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. The magazine was known as CE Lifestyles before a name change in early 2006. of some of the biggest music stars of four decades. ``It was MTV MTV in full Music Television U.S. cable television network, established in 1980 to present videos of musicians and singers performing new rock music. MTV won a wide following among rock-music fans worldwide and greatly affected the popular-music business. before MTV, VH1 before VH1, 'Soul Train' before 'Soul Train,' '' said rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard Little Richard, 1935–, American musician and singer, b. Macon, Ga., as Richard Wayne Penniman. One of the first rock musicians in the 1950s, he recorded "Tutti Frutti," "Long Tall Sally," and "Good Golly Miss Molly." Since then, he has turned to religion. , who first made a splash on ``Bandstand'' in the late '50s. ``It put you in the public eye immediately, and you'd see the results in record sales just as quick.'' Leif Garrett Leif Per Nervik (born November 8, 1961) better known by his stage name of Leif Garrett is an American singer and actor. He became famous as a teen idol and received publicity as an adult for his drug abuse and legal troubles. , a teen heartthrob of the '70s, agrees: ``It could make or break your career. If you appeared on the show, you'd be catapulted into the stratosphere. If you didn't appear on the show, you could just as easily fall out of the sky.'' Richard and Garrett join Michael Jackson Noun 1. Michael Jackson - United States singer who began singing with his four brothers and later became a highly successful star during the 1980s (born in 1958) Michael Joe Jackson, Jackson , Cher, Alanis Morissette, Brandy, Stevie Wonder, Babyface and KC & the Sunshine Band on ``American Bandstand's 50th ... A Celebration!'' two-hour special broadcast at 8 p.m. Friday on ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. . The prime-time gala mixes segments from an anniversary concert shot last month with archival clips cherry-picked from more than 10,000 musical appearances in 6,000-plus hours of airtime. ``The taping with all those stars was the most incredible experience I've had in a while,'' said Janice Marie Johnson of A Taste of Honey, whose 1978 smash ``Boogie Oogie Oogie'' is frequently sampled by hip-hop artists. ``I was like a kid in a candy store. I was truly honored to be part of it.'' Of the historic material, taped performances by Blondie, Chubby Checker, Jan & Dean, Jefferson Airplane, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, the Mamas & the Papas, Diana Ross, ABBA, the Doors and Celine Dion were among those making the final cut. ``It was tough boiling it down to the most memorable performances,'' Clark, 72, said from the Burbank headquarters where he oversees a music, TV and movie empire worth around $300 million. ``We probably missed some artists we would like to have used. Hopefully, there will one day be an entire cable channel playing performance footage divided into decades.'' But in a nation of short attention spans, as well as a music scene divided into arcane genres, Friday's look back won't be chronological. ``There are so many different kinds of pop music now,'' Clark said. ``In the old days, you could put Fats Domino and Percy Faith Percy Faith (April 7, 1908 – February 9, 1976) was a band-leader, orchestrator and composer, known for his lush arrangements of pop standards. He is often credited with creating the "easy listening" or "mood music" format which became staples of American popular music in the back to back. Today, it's more segregated and much more complex.'' Where things are poppin' It all must have seemed pretty darn simple in 1952 when ``American Bandstand'' started life as a regional show in Philadelphia under the name ``Bandstand.'' Original host Bob Horn For the football player of the same name see Bob Horn (football player). Bob Horn, born Donald Loyd Horn in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania on February 20 1916 to a World War I veteran and eventually became a radio and television personality in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania stood on a cramped set that resembled a record store and screened clips of musicians as a teen-age audience danced to the latest tunes. In 1956, 27-year-old local DJ Dick Clark was recruited as host after a scandal cost Horn the job. The following year, the televised sock hop Sock Hop or soc hop (rarely) is a term coined in the 1950s in the United States, following the growth in popularity of rock and roll, to refer to informal sponsored dances at American high schools, typically held on the grounds of the high school itself in the was picked up by 67 ABC affiliates, some for the full 90 minutes and others for an hour or less. ``Bandstand'' initially aired weekdays after school but soon landed a prime-time slot. Clark dropped the record store concept, using a simple set of bleachers and a podium that now resides in the Smithsonian. ``Dancing was a major, major feature,'' said chart analyst Rob Durkee, author of ``American Top 40: The Countdown of the Century,'' who plans to watch the Clark special. ``The kids who showed up knew all the popular steps - the Slop, the Hand Jive, the Bop, the Twist. They even invented some - the Stroll, the Circle, the Chalypso.'' Out in TV Land, kids practiced the new steps in front of the mirror and bought 45s by the singers they saw on the show, making teen stars of Bill Haley Noun 1. Bill Haley - United States rock singer who was one of the first to popularize rock'n'roll music (1925-1981) Haley, William John Clifton Haley Jr. & the Comets, Buddy Holly Noun 1. Buddy Holly - United States rock star (1936-1959) Charles Hardin Holley, Holly , Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon Frankie Avalon (born Francis Thomas Avallone, September 18 1939, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American actor, singer, and former teen idol. Career By the time he was 12, Avalon began making appearances on U.S. , Chubby Checker, Bobby Darin Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert "Bobby" Cassotto, May 14 1936 – December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular American big band performers and rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s. , Fabian and Ritchie Valens Ritchie Valens (born Ricardo Steven Valenzuela, May 13 1941 – February 3 1959) was a pioneer of rock and roll and a forefather to the Latin Rock movement. Career , kick-starting the record industry. ``It was so simple,'' Clark marveled. ``We played records, and they danced. The thing was a hit within three days. There was no audience testing back then. It happened by itself.'' On the show, Clark introduced guests who lip-synced to their own songs. Then, a few teens were chosen from the audience for ``Rate-A-Record.'' In 1963, shortly before the series moved to Hollywood to become a Saturday-afternoon fixture, ``Bandstand's'' jukebox jury gave ``She Loves You'' the thumbs-down and had a good giggle at the Fab Four's mop-top haircuts and matching outfits. We're gonna drop in The Beatles - as well as Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson - never appeared on ``American Bandstand.'' But it wasn't because of the vote of no-confidence from the peanut gallery. Clark says the roughly $150 the program paid to guests wasn't much to write home about, even in those days. Other regular features included a weekly Top 10 and an annual dance contest. In fact, ``Bandstand's'' dancers were said to receive more fan mail than many Hollywood stars - 45,000 letters a week at times. ``It was an open window on a world we were all interested in,'' Clark said. ``And it was one of the first reality shows - these dancers were ordinary kids. They weren't trained dancers; they were real people off the street dancing to records.'' After a 30-year run in which ``American Bandstand'' accurately reflected the changing musical times - rock 'n' roll, British Invasion, acid-rock, metal, folk-rock, disco, punk, new wave and the first stirrings of hip-hop - Clark and ABC parted ways in 1987 when the network wanted the show cut to 30 minutes. Wanting to keep the hourlong format instead, Clark moved ``American Bandstand'' to syndication and then took the show to the USA cable network where David Hirsch became host until the series fizzled out entirely in 1989. ``My dream is to get it back on the air,'' Clark says. ``I'd love to do a contemporary version.'' A favorite memory of network's coolest music series involved Madonna's TV debut in 1984. The gum-snapping Material Mom-to-be lip-synched her first hit, ``Holiday,'' and then stood with Clark for the interview. ``What is your New Year's resolution A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set , not for 1984, but for the rest of your life For The Rest Of Your Life is a British game show on ITV, hosted by Nicky Campbell. It is produced by Initial, a company of Endemol. Format Round One ?'' Clark asked. ``To rule the world,'' she snapped - and it seemed likely. ``American Bandstand'' was hip, you could dance to it, and every Saturday it proved rock 'n' roll was truly here to stay. Here's a quick glance at ``American Bandstand'' through the years: 1952: ``American Bandstand'' is broadcast for the first time, under the title ``Bandstand,'' from Philadelphia; performers during the decade would include Jackie Wilson, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Little Richard, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Darin, the Crests, Paul Anka, Danny & the Juniors. 1954: The term ``rock 'n' roll'' is coined by radio DJ Alan Freed at a concert he is promoting. Freed tries unsuccessfully to copyright the phrase. 1956: Dick Clark, a 27-year-old radio DJ, is recruited to replace original host Bob Horn as MC of ``American Bandstand.'' 1957: ``American Bandstand'' premieres on national TV and is an immediate sensation. First record played is Jerry Lee Lewis' ``Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On''; a little-known duo called Tom & Jerry appears - later they would record under their real names, Simon & Garfunkel. 1958: Buddy Holly lip-syncs ``Heartbeat'' and ``It's So Easy'' on the show to the backing of the Crickets; the Silhouettes' ``Get a Job'' hits No. 1 after the doo-wop group is on ``Bandstand''; Phil Spector performs ``To Know Him Is to Love Him'' with his group the Teddy Bears. The song peaks at No. 1; Duane Eddy is on for ``Moovin' 'n' Groovin' '' and ``Rebel-Rouser.'' The ``Bandstand'' audience is integrated. 1959: Clark launches his Caravan of Stars road show. 1960: Chubby Checker performs ``The Twist'' and a dance craze is born. The decade would see appearances by James Brown, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke and Jefferson Airplane. 1963: The Beatles' ``She Loves You'' receives a so-so rating from ``Bandstand's'' jukebox jury. The kids snicker at the Fab Four's haircuts and matching suits; ``American Bandstand'' moves to Hollywood and begins airing on Saturday afternoons. 1964: Clark takes the Supremes on the Caravan of Stars summer tour. The trio gets just $600 a week, but ``Where Did Our Love Go?'' climbs the charts. 1972: Michael Jackson performs ``Ben.'' The theme song from the sequel to ``Willard'' becomes Jackson's first solo No. 1; performers on the show during the '70s include Andy Gibb, a Taste of Honey, David Essex, the DeFranco Family, Leif Garrett, Steely Dan, the Brady Bunch. 1973: Neil Diamond lip-syncs his 1966 hit ``Cherry, Cherry'' on ``Bandstand's'' 20th anniversary show, and the live version of the tune enters the Top 40: Aerosmith makes its national TV debut with ``Dream On.'' 1980: Prince makes his TV debut; the decade would see ``Bandstand'' moments from Madonna, X, Janet Jackson, Queen, Billy Joel, the B-52's, the Pretenders, Blondie, Public Image Ltd., Flock of Seagulls, Haircut 100, Cyndi Lauper, Spinal Tap spinal tap: see spinal puncture. . 1987: Clark and ABC part company; David Hirsch takes over as host. 1989: ``American Bandstand'' is picked up for syndication on the USA cable network through the winter. -F.S. AMERICAN BANDSTAND'S 50TH ... A CELEBRATION! What: Pop TV fixture Dick Clark presents classic moments from the past, plus new performances from Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, Cher and Stevie Wonder in this two-hour prime-time special. Where: KABC KABC Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (Channel 7). When: 8 p.m. Friday. CAPTION(S): 5 photos, box Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) too HIP Dick Clark's `American Bandstand' the coolest place to be in 50 years on TV (2 -- color) Dick Clark is seen against a montage of ``Bandstand'' moments. (3 -- 5 -- color) From left, ``America's Oldest Teen-ager'' sports an ``American Bandstand'' jacket, shows off Beatles memorabilia and, above, thanks Michael Jackson after his performance of ``Dangerous'' at the taping of ``American Bandstand's 50th: A Celebration'' at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. David Sprague/Staff Photographer Box: Here's a quick glance at ``American Bandstand'' through the years (see text) |
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