Customer Reviews

American Bandstand: Dick Clark and the Making of a Rock 'n' Roll Empire

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In his history of Dick Clark and "American Bandstand," John Jackson had his choice of several stories. He could tell of Clark's ascension to the "Bandstand" podium at a strategic time, hooking Clark, his host network (ABC), and host city (Philadelphia) to pop culture prominence. Jackson could chronicle the city's fast-moving music scene, the teen singers, disc jockeys, and businessmen (Clark among them) who exploited the new music. Finally, he could tell the show's own 32-year story, as "Bandstand" led, followed, then rehashed youth culture.

Despite factual errors (putting "All You Need Is Love" on "Sgt. Pepper" shows as much Beatle knowledge as Jackson claimed Clark had) and unneeded 60s-70s rehash, Jackson's biography adddresses its subjects accurately and engagingly. Jackson sees Clark not as money-grubbing villain but driven, opportunistic businessman who "within the bounds of propriety - followed the dollar wherever it took him."

Clark fought to cult!ivate, keep, and wield a pleasant national image to his advantage. Jackson succeeds most in showing how that image served, even saved Clark's career. Clark's soft-spoken, "nice guy" image eased the transition from the scandalous, tragic tenure of original "Bandstand" host Bob Horn. It softened and widened (some said, despite Clark's objections, "whitened") rock and roll's ease into daily life and the youth buying power enjoining it. Mostly, it masked the clear-eyed, hard-charging figure who not only stood up to federal regulators and network bosses, but parlayed his "Bandstand" success into music-related (torn by 1959-60's "payola" scandal, covered in depth here despite little Clark participation), then rebuilt into complete media-based success.

Fans of early rock will enjoy Jackson's musical side trips. He looks at the "Bandstand" dancers' quick fame, the synergy and rivalry between the show, Philadelphia promoters, and disc jockeys, the rise of small record labels whi!ch (with Clark's involvement throughout) recorded national hits (Jackson tells fresh versions of the making of "At The Hop" and "The Twist"), and, finally, Clark's move to California which closed Philly music dominance (and, to believe Jackson, did little for "Bandstand," either). Figures like musician Charlie Gracie, producer Tony Mammarella, and songwriters Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe, today unknown outside Philadelphia music, are remembered either as villain or victim. The last chapters, describing Clark's adjusting the "Bandstand" image to changing musical times, are among the book's most intriguing.

The result makes "American Bandstand" unflinching, unfawning yet high-minded critique that Clark, generally no friend of critics, could support. The epilogue essays Clark's motivations, how he achieved and maintained fame and riches yet still promotes, produces, and hosts. Jackson concludes that it's what Clark enjoys doing and does best. That, and the dearth of harsh word!s for Clark by anyone in the book, makes this an incisive, fun read for pop culture fans.

John A. Jackson's book is the most revealing piece written at length about 'American Bandstand' and the man who made it tick. Jackson comes off as tough on Clark for the way the host rationalized making records and managing talent while playing that talent's work on the air. And while Clark has promoted himself and his show as a trailblazer, Jacksons research shows 'Bandstand' as much more follower than leader. Yet in the end Jackson gives the show and its longtime host-producer their due for the pivotal role both played in furthering rock as a linchpin of American music. Neither a PR vehicle nor a mantra for Clark-bashers, Jackson's book is cultural criticism at its best, with the writer knowing how to get out of the way of his subject.

There book is more of a profile of Dick Clark than simply a historical account of the show. A must read for fans. I was wondering how My father, Edward J. Yates, who directed American Bandstand for 18 years was not even mentioned. His association with the show predates Clarks. Ed still lives in the Philadelpia area.

Jackson's book is published by a top-flight academic press, and that should warn off readers hoping for a snappy, picture-laden bit of nostalgic hagiography (for that, see Dick Clark's own book, coauthored with Fred Bronson, replete with pictures and even, as the cover declares, a "Nifty Dance Poster Inside!"). What Jackson gives us is a deeply researched, thoughtful, and judicious history of the show and its implications. There are numerous divergences from common wisdom here-- most notable is Jackson's read on the so-called "integration" of Bandstand, which he treats with nuance and sophistication. References to obscure tunes and performers indicate that Jackson is surely one of those legendary record-collector enthusiasts; it shows in his footnotes but not, blessedly, in the text itself. Instead, the book gives us a closely observed history of the pop music business and one of its most important institutions.

This is the ultimate book on one of the early major Rock n Roll shows. Every detail you could possibly want to know about American Bandstand is in here. From the early days in Philadelphia, to the Dick Clark payola scandal, to the move to California, this book covers it. It also discuss the discrimination that existed, and how the regulars became celebrities. I really enjoyed and would recomend it to any fan of the fifties and sixties

Great Book, love it! I never knew so much about the history of bandstand!
This book tells you alot. Great for anyone who likes Dick Clark, and American bandstand!

At least Dick Clark cooperated with this, so you get his point of view. The author is unsparing about Clark's money making ways, but the book is a bit too padded with historical perspective about what was happening in America when this TV show ruled the airwaves. If you've watched the show - and it's been hard to miss for many decades - then this music bio/history will fill in the background. It's just not as well written, or richly nuanced, as it could have been.

Mr. Jackson, with whom I have spoken, has presented his facts well and in quite readable form. This is not a fluff piece, or romantic novel. It is an academic work on a period few have explored to this depth.
Personally, he is right on the payola bucks money-facts and the behind the scenes power plays. His research was extensive. His finished product supports that.

This is a very tough book to read as the author seems only to list endless, meaningless, facts without organizing them in to an interesting narrative. The role American Bandstand and Dick Clark played in the early days of television and rock 'n roll is a very interesting story. Unfortuneately this book fails to tell it an enjoyable way. Also, the author seems to have an unjustified vendetta against Clark.

I don't even watch "American Bandstand," and I know nothing about Dick Clark except:

1. That he hosted the show,

2. That 's also notorious for his "Pyramid" duo, which had been short-lived but is till aired here in New York,

3. And that on every New Years' Eve, he comes to New York to do I-bet-you-know-what.