Dick Clark, known widely as "America's oldest teenager," single-handedly formed the culture of the day on American Bandstand, and helped give rise to rock 'n' roll. He was a man of many roles: an entrepreneur, producer, game-show host and much more. It didn't feel like New Year's Eve in America if you weren't watching Dick Clark count down the minutes. The statistics are staggering; Bandstand brought in 40 million viewers a day when the country's population wasn't even 200 million and when many people were at work-one might size that up to airing a Super Bowl every day! However, Dick Clark's influence transcended the music. Against dissent, he integrated the dance floor and gave Baby Boomer America a daily vision of what a non-segregated society could be; early guests on his show included Chuck Berry and James Brown, as well as Jerry Lee Lewis and the Everly Brothers. Clark even made television an interactive pastime by reaching out to his viewers and getting them to call in and say what they thought about the couple of the day, or the song. This made Bandstand the progenitor of much of today's TV culture-shows like American Idol, The Voice and Dancing with the Stars. Dick Clark was also a friend of LIFE's; in this book, we bring back an earlier LIFE piece in which he reminiscences about the exciting early days of rock 'n' roll. He was a legend who introduced us to other legends, and for that, he will always be remembered.
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About the Author
The editors at LIFE vigorously carry on the traditions of excellence in photography, journalism and storytelling about our country and our world, which began with the founding of LIFE magazine in 1936 by editor and publisher Henry R. Luce. They have published books on a broad range of subjects, including New York Times bestsellers One Nation, LIFE Picture Puzzle and The American Journey of Barack Obama. The LIFE channel on TIME.com features LIFE's legendary photo archives. The acclaimed LIFE for iPad app reached #1 in 33 countries shortly after its November 2010 launch.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
For an old guy like me, the book was fun to read and peruse the pictures. Nice binding and very clear pictures
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story of a man's influence in the beginning of a new musical creation of Rock 'n'Roll. He was an ex-
cellent emcee,worked extremely well with teenagers,
gave young people opportunities in starting their
careers in music. He was a television icon.
cellent emcee,worked extremely well with teenagers,
gave young people opportunities in starting their
careers in music. He was a television icon.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Was purchased as a gift and was told that the book has several disappointing features:
1. Few pictures
2. Too short considering everything Dick Clark did in his career
3. Poor quality pages
I would not recommend for others to purchase.
1. Few pictures
2. Too short considering everything Dick Clark did in his career
3. Poor quality pages
I would not recommend for others to purchase.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Every party, apparently, needs a pooper and that will have to be me. To me this book is a crass attempt to cash in on the recent demise of Dick Clark. Putting rock and roll in the title and putting a few archived photos under Dick's pic is sure to sell a few more books to boot. The only positive thing about this book is that perhaps a young musician who is looking for some background to help him/her formulate his/her style will do some you tube exploring of Procol Harem, Dion and the Belmonts, Jan and Dean or Martha Reeves and expose him/herself to some very fine forgotten rock and roll. Otherwise this book is a real stretch printed to cash in quickly on the memory of Dick Clark. It looks as if top brass gave an intern two weeks to come up w a book that would be easy to publish/print and be a sure money maker. Said intern was given access to some forgotten stock photos to aid in this endeavor. Sorry to rain on the parade, folks. You may want to visit your library to see for yourself. Who knows, maybe my expectations are too high here and you will like it and even buy it. Never can tell. Otherwise not a bad way to spend 37 and 1/2 minutes of your time.
By Bob Purple
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although there isn't much to this book it certainly is a pleasure to read and see pictures of this legend. Sorry to see him go. It was hard to watch him during his last New year's Eve broadcast, he was a trooper to the last.
By LT
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Gave it to my brother for Christmas. Are you kidding me? More words "required". How do I know how he liked it?
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I liked this book but wished there were more pictures of American Band Stand and the 'kids' on it who are probably pretty old like me now.... like Bob and justine and Kenny and Arlene...make a sequile about American Bandstand.
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