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Image: Dick Clark

Winter

Dick Clark (1929-2012)

From “American Bandstand” to “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the man dubbed “America’s Oldest Teenager” was a mainstay in American living rooms.

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Dick Clark

'America's Oldest Teenager'

Dick Clark began his radio and television career in the early 1950s. In 1952, he became the regular substitute host of "Bob Horn's Bandstand" on WFIL in Philadelphia. In 1956, he became the full-time host. A year later, ABC picked up the show and changed the name to "American Bandstand."

Gallery
American Bandstand

Getting his groovy on

In this promotional photo from the mid-1950s, Clark snaps his fingers to the beat of a song as the McGuire Sisters (from left, Christine, Dorothy and Phyllis) and Johnny Mathis perform behind him.

Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive
American Bandstand

Unveiling the top 10

Clark anounces the week's top 10 most popular songs during a 1958 episode of "The Dick Clark Show." Like "Bandstand," it featured top musical stars lip synching their hits. Unlike "Bandstand," the audience sat in a more traditional theater setting.

Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive
BRANDED, Pat O''Brien, Dick Clark, ''The Greatest Coward On Earth'', (Season 2, Episode 11, aired November 21, 1965), 1965-66

Dick Clark, actor

Clark appeared as A.J. Bailey and Pat O'Brien, left, starred as P.T. Barnum in this 1965 episode of "Branded" entitled ''The Greatest Coward On Earth.''

IN CONCERT, Dick Clark, 1973

The producer

Clark served as executive producer of a series called "In Concert" from 1973-75.

THE $20,000 PYRAMID, Dick Clark (ca. 1976), 1973-92

Let's play the Pyramid

Clark became host of "The $10,000 Pyramid" on CBS in March 1973. In 1974, the show moved to ABC and upgraded the prize money to $20,000. He was also a producer of the show.

TV personality Dick Clark w. his wife Kari.

Out with the missus

Clark and his third wife Kari Wigton have been married since 1977.

Dmi / Time & Life Pictures
American Bandstand's Teen Idol

'Teen Idol'

On Feb. 15, 1994, Clark hosted "American Bandstand's Teen Idol," a retrospective special that looked at rock and roll's teen-age stars through the years.

Chris Haston / Episodic

'American Music Awards'

In 1973, Clark created the "American Music Awards." Unlike the Grammy Awards, the AMAs were meant to feature and reward commercially popular music and artists. He struck a pose with former Blondie singer Debbie Harry at the 26th show on Jan. 11, 1999.

American Bandstand's 50th..A Celebration - Day 2

Jackson pays tribute to Clark

Michael Jackson arrives at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., to tape his performance for Dick Clark's "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration" on Saturday, April 20, 2002.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
New Year's 2006 in New York - \"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2006\" - Live Show

'New Year's Rockin' Eve'

Clark shared the stage with co-host Ryan Seacrest during his annual "New Year's Rockin' Eve" show from Times Square in New York on Jan. 1, 2006. The night marked Clark's first television appearance after suffering a stroke in December 2004. Clark died on Wednesday, April 18. He was 82.

Ron Wolfson / WireImage
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