American Bandstand: Dick Clark's Rock n' Roll Legacy

An American Legend From 1952 to 1987, Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" brought new rock and roll to the public, first on radio and then on television. It also made dancers like Justine and Bob household names.

From 1952 to 1987, Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" brought new rock and roll to the public, first on radio and then on television. It also made dancers like Justine and Bob household names.

American Bandstand

The Jackson 5 Some of the biggest stars in pop music made their way to Clark's stage (usually to lip-sync their hit song.)

Some of the biggest stars in pop music made their way to Clark's stage (usually to lip-sync their hit song.)

American Bandstand

The Brady Bunch Clark hosted a wide range of acts, including made-for-TV bubble-gum bands.

Clark hosted a wide range of acts, including made-for-TV bubble-gum bands.

American Bandstand

The Osmonds Clark hosted a wide range of acts, from made-for-TV bubble-gum bands. “I am in a commercial business,” he once said, according to The Washington Post. “What is wrong with giving people what they want, what they enjoy?”

Clark hosted a wide range of acts, from made-for-TV bubble-gum bands. “I am in a commercial business,” he once said, according to The Washington Post. “What is wrong with giving people what they want, what they enjoy?”

American Bandstand

Clark once described the simplicity of his show: "I played records, the kids danced, and America watched," he said, according to the Associated Press.

Van Morrison Clark once described the simplicity of his show: "I played records, the kids danced, and America watched," he said, according to the Associated Press. Clark once described the simplicity of his show: "I played records, the kids danced, and America watched," he said, according to the Associated Press. American Bandstand

The Village People The show, with its clean-cut image, kept rockin' right through the disco '70s.

The show, with its clean-cut image, kept rockin' right through the disco '70s.

American Bandstand

Public Image Limited ...and Clark even had on some punk legends, like John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten).

...and Clark even had on some punk legends, like John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten).

American Bandstand

John "Cougar" Mellancamp Pop and rock stars of the '80s, from Madonna to John Mellencamp (who hit it big while performing as John Cougar), still got their introductions to the nation on "American Bandstand."

Pop and rock stars of the '80s, from Madonna to John Mellencamp (who hit it big while performing as John Cougar), still got their introductions to the nation on "American Bandstand."

American Bandstand

Devo By the '80s, Clark had also become known for hosting "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," which started in 1972, and "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes." Clark also hosted game shows like the "$10,000 Pyramid," which launched in 1973.

By the '80s, Clark had also become known for hosting "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," which started in 1972, and "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes." Clark also hosted game shows like the "$10,000 Pyramid," which launched in 1973.

American Bandstand

Cyndi Lauper By the '80s, Clark had also become known for hosting "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," which started in 1972, and "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes." Clark also hosted game shows like the "$10,000 Pyramid," which launched in 1973.

By the '80s, Clark had also become known for hosting "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," which started in 1972, and "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes." Clark also hosted game shows like the "$10,000 Pyramid," which launched in 1973.

American Bandstand

Janet Jackson Clark also created the American Music Awards in 1974 after ABC lost the broadcast rights to the Grammy Awards. His production company now handles the Emmy Awards, the Golden Globes, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Family Television Awards.

Clark also created the American Music Awards in 1974 after ABC lost the broadcast rights to the Grammy Awards. His production company now handles the Emmy Awards, the Golden Globes, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Family Television Awards.

American Bandstand

LL Cool J Clark is credited with integrating "American Bandstand" in the '50s, bringing on black artists to perform their songs rather than playing cover versions by white performers. Decades later, he had on pioneering rap artists like LL Cool J and The Sugarhill

Clark is credited with integrating "American Bandstand" in the '50s, bringing on black artists to perform their songs rather than playing cover versions by white performers. Decades later, he had on pioneering rap artists like LL Cool J and The Sugarhill Gang.

American Bandstand

Michael Jackson If Jackson was the King of Pop, Clark certainly played a large role in building up the kingdom.

If Jackson was the King of Pop, Clark certainly played a large role in building up the kingdom.

American Bandstand

In 2001, Clark sold his production company for $137 million to a group of private investors. He stayed on as chairman and CEO and would continue to produce shows and appear on television, even after suffering a stroke in 2004.

X In 2001, Clark sold his production company for $137 million to a group of private investors. He stayed on as chairman and CEO and would continue to produce shows and appear on television, even after suffering a stroke in 2004. In 2001, Clark sold his production company for $137 million to a group of private investors. He stayed on as chairman and CEO and would continue to produce shows and appear on television, even after suffering a stroke in 2004. American Bandstand