Apr 182012
Dick Clark, Bobby Rydell, and the Kidz
Dick Clark died at 82 years of age this morning of a “massive heart attack.” Although Clark probably resonates deeply with our demographic’s collective pre-rock nerd childhood, he probably doesn’t inspire the hipster love that the recently departed Don Cornelius did. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that he was a great man.
That said, can any Townsperson cite a more cherished American Bandstand moment than the following? He and his audience had it coming to them, no?
NEXT: Rock Town Hall’s Official Eulogy…
The hipster in me wants to say Jimmy Fallon, but I think we’re stuck with Ryan Seacrest.
Here’s a nice appreciation from Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker, who also fondly recalls the PiL appearance:
http://watching-tv.ew.com/2012/04/18/dick-clark-american-bandstand-pyramid-rockin-eve/
I just remembered that I met Dick Clark once, when I was about 20. I used to work in a large bookstore that hosted book readings/signings. Clark put out a book on the early days of American Bandstand, when it was set in Philadelphia. He got the largest, most enthusiastic crowd I’d ever seen there, highlighted by a bunch of original Bandstand dancers. Clark was really nice and warm, totally tuned into his crowd and super friendly to those of us in the bookstore, who set him up prior to the signing in a little room in the basement. His image as an Ambassador of Rock ‘n Roll Safety, or whatever, seemed sincere.
RTH Death Toll continues with the passing of the flautist from Men at Work:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/a-jaunty-tune-turned-sour-for-men-at-works-man-with-the-flute-20120419-1xa4x.html
Dude was a good actor from what I’ve heard.
Dick Clark gains some cool points for being the producer of the 1968 hippie/LSD exploitation classic Psych-Out.
http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/94/MPW-47445
Taint nothing hip about Jimmy Fallon.