The legendary Dick Clark leaves us.
From Syracuse University to the Walk of Fame
Richard Wagstaff Clark was born Nov. 30th, 1929 the son of a radio station salesman. As a teenager he got hired in Utica by WRUN Radio, after his older brother was killed in WW2. This station was owned by his uncle and managed by his father. He was soon promoted to weatherman and news announcer. Then he graduated from A.B. Davis H.S. and then entered Syracuse University. After studying Business Administration, he worked in radio and T.V. in Syracuse New York until he landed his "spring board" job for WFIL in Philidelphia. It was all bright lights and big stars from there!
In 1952 an affiliate of WFIL started a show called Bob Horn's Bandstand, that Dick substituted on. In 57' he took the show over and brought it to ABC as American Bandstand. After that as we know, he starred in The Dick Clark Show, The $25,000 Pyramid, Bloopers and Practical Jokes, and of course Dick Clark's Rocking New Years Eve, started by his company, Dick Clark Productions. This company also enabled him to produce and create the American Music Awards (to rival the Grammy's), and several made for T.V. movies about Elvis and the Beatles.
Though suffering the effects of a debilitating stroke and being 82, the T.V. legend himself rang in the New Year in 2012 and celebrated his 40th Anniversary New Year's Special. As one of the most ambitious and accomplished men in the T.V. production business, Dick Clark was credited for giving Madonna, Barry Manilow, The Jacksons and many others their start. He was an unbelievable force that never gave up on his dream to do more and do it better. Our society will never forget him!
On April 18, 2012 Dick Clark passed away of a massive heart attack. He was 82.
