As we look back at the life and work of Dick Clark, we put together a slideshow of images from American Bandstand: Dick Clark and the Making of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Empire by John Jackson.
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The kids want in
Bandstand producer Tony Mammarella marshalls the show’s daily queue, circa 1955-56. Courtesy of Agnes Mammarella.
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The Producer and the Cub
Bob Horn displays little enthusiasm for holding a live lion cub, but Tony Mammarella seems to approve. Courtesy of Agnes Mammarella.
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Controversy strikes
Bandstand host Bob Horn was arrested while driving drunk in 1956, at a time when the Philadelphia Inquirer, owned by the same company that owned Bandstand, conducted a campaign against drunk driving. The rival Bulletin gleefully played up Horn’s arrest. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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A new host is needed
Bandstand host Bob Horn was brought down by a series of highly publicized transgressions. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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Lee Andrews and the Hearts
In the late 1950s American bandstand helped change the face of rock ‘n’ roll. The “old” represented by West Philadelphia’s Lee Andrews (center) and the Hearts gave way to the “new” represented by Danny and the Juniors (next slide), who hailed from the same neighborhood as the Hearts, not far from American Bandstand. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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Danny and the Juniors
In the late 1950s American bandstand helped change the face of rock ‘n’ roll. The “old” represented by West Philadelphia’s Lee Andrews and the Hearts (previous slide) gave way to the “new” represented by Danny and the Juniors, who hailed from the same neighborhood as the Hearts, not far from American Bandstand. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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A Boy of the Bandstand
Frankie Avalon with manager Bob Marcucci. Courtesy of Robert Marcucci.
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Fabian
Fabian (Forte) the reluctant teen idol discovered on his South Philadelphia row house stoop by Bob Marcucci. “But he’s not a singer,” protested Marcucci’s partner Peter DeAngelis. “Does it really matter in this day and age?” replied Marcucci. Courtesy of Whirlin’ Disc Records, Farmingdale, NY.
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Bobby Rydell
South Philadelphia’s Bobby Rydell, who, along with Frankie Avalon and Fabian, became one of the “boys of the Bandstand.” Courtesy of Whirlin’ Disc Records, Farmingdale, NY.
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WFIL-TV
WFIL-TV’s 46th and Market Street studios in the 1990s. The station (now WPVI) moved to a modern broadcasting complex on the northwestern outskirts of the city in 1963. Today the old building is used for storage by a local cable TV outlet. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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Clark and Mammarella
Dick Clark and Tony Mammarella finalize the daily American Bandstand song playlist. Note the tiny office the two shared. Courtesy of Agnes Mammarella.
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A Star Witness
Dick Clark was the star witness of the U.S. House of Representatives hearings on broadcasting payola in 1960. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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A web of intrigue
Federal investigators’ chart of Dick Clark’s music-related business interests. Source: U.S. House of Representatives, Responsibilities in Broadcasting Licenses and Station Personnel, 1960.
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A movie star
Dick Clark starred in three movies. Because They’re Young was released in 1960. Courtesy of the Doug Lumpkin Collection.
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Clark and Slay
Dick Clark with record producer Frank Slay, 1960. Courtesy of Frank Slay.
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I'm with the band.
One of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest hit-making teams. Lester Sill, Dick Clark, Duanne Eddy, and Lee Hazelwood at the Hollywood Bowl, 1960. Courtesy of the Duanne Eddy Circle/Fan Club.
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"Boom Boom"
American Bandstand favorite Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon whose records were issued by Swan, a company partially-owned by Dick Clark. Clark reportedly wanted Cannon to record “The Twist,” but the singer declined because a record of his had just been released. “The Twist” was subsequently recorded by Chubby Checker. Courtesy of John Jackson.
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The Twist
Chubby Checker, with a big assist from Dick Clark and American Bandstand, changed the way the world danced. Courtesy of Whirlin’ Disc Records, Farmingdale, NY.
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The British Invasion
The Beatles and Swan Records executives receive an award in 1964 for the group’s number one hit, “She Loves You.” Left to right: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Tony Mammarella, Ringo Starr, Bernie Binnick, and George Harrison. Courtesy of Agnes Mammarella.
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Coast to Coast
After American Bandstand moved from Philadelphia to California, the show’s dancers began to exhibit a more professional quality, but in the process Bandstand lost much of its youthful innocence. Courtesy of Photofest, NY.
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The 70s
Dick Clark, looking very 1970-ish, welcomes the Fifth Dimension to American Bandstand in 1976. Courtesy of Photofest, NY.
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The 80s
American Bandstand in 1986. Courtesy of Everett Collection, Inc.
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The 80s
American Bandstand in 1986.
We’ll miss you Dick Clark!
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