My memories of Dick Clark

I heard the news a little while ago that Dick Clark died suddenly of a heart attack at age 82.  In 2004 he had suffered a stroke, but appeared on New Year’s Eve as we watched the ball drop. It was obvious that he was not well as his speech was slurred.  I’d like to write this entry about my memories of the man who was “The World’s Oldest Living Teenager.”

Back in the 1960s I would come home from school and watch “Where The Action Is” at 4:30 on channel 7.  I remember his introducing Paul Revere and the Raider, Keith Allison, Steve Alaimo, Tina Mason, and many popular artists of that era.  I recently bought a DVD with several episodes of that show.  For a while I watched American Bandstand on Saturdays when it originated from Los Angeles.  The Philadelphia version was a little before my time.  My favorite feature was “Rate-A-Record.”  Duh, I’ll give it a 95 because it has a great beat and you can really dance to it.  One more TV memory is Pyramid in denominations of $10,000, $20,000, $25,000, and $100,000.  I watched it when it first aired. but also saw the reruns on the Game Show Network.

Let’s now remember Dick on the radio.  Back in the 1980s there was a syndicated show featuring current hits called Dick Clark Rock Roll and Remember.  if I remember correctly it was heard in NYC on Sunday evenings on WYNY before Sexually Speaking with Dr. Ruth Westheimer.  There was also Dick Clark’s Rock Roll and Remember which was an oldies show heard Sunday mornings on WCBS-FM.

So Dick, thank you so much for all you have done for entertainment world for many years.  Thanks for all the memories and rest in peace.  Condolences to your family.