With American Bandstand, Dick Clark emerged as a pioneering rock'n'roll hit maker and annointer of kings. Elvis Presley, Madonna, Barry Manilow, the Jacksons, ABBA – all appeared on the show at some point during its massive run.
Great balls of fire
Here is Clark in 1958 introducing Jerry Lee Lewis in a scorching performance that needed no assistance.
Role reversal
In 1959, he was a special surprise guest on This is Your Life. Guests included Dick's parents, Richard and Julia Clark, from Utica, New York. Dick's father discusses the death of Dick's older brother, Brad Clark, in World War II.
'You dipped your diphthong'
Clark was enough of an icon by the mid-1960s that he'd land a cameo gently poking fun of himself on this episode of the original Batman television series. Extra points to the writers for getting Adam West to tell Clark "you dipped your diphthong".
The 1970s
John Travolta appeared on American Bandstand in 1976, already a television star but not yet the mega-celebrity he'd become after Saturday Night Fever which was released the following year. Is it just us or is Clark just the slightest bit uncharacteristically hostile here?
Funny man
In the 1980s, Clark struck gold with the show he produced – and hosted with Ed MacMahon – TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes. Here they are co-presenting a blooper reel brought in by Elvira, the mistress of the night.
Declining health
Clark suffered a catastrophic stroke in 2004, which took him off the air for most of the rest of his life. He returned to New Year's Rockin' Eve alongside co-host Ryan Seacrest, noticeably diminished, to count down to 2006.
Do you have a favorite Dick Clark moment? Share yours in the comments below.
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