Dick Clark, ‘American Bandstand’ legend, dies at 82

Dick Clark, a television host who sold rock-and-roll to America on “American Bandstand” and counted down the new year with millions of TV viewers, died after a massive heart attack. He was 82.

5 Seconds

00:00

Dick Clark looks over some papers during an “American Bandstand” show in Philadelphia in this undated photo. “American Bandstand” first aired as a local show in Philadelphia, gained popularity with host Dick Clark after he joined the program in 1956 and then went national in 1957.

/ AP

1957

Dick Clark is surrounded by fans during a television broadcast of "American Bandstand."

/ AP

Teens dance during “American Bandstand” in Philadelphia in this undated photo.

/ AP

1959

Dick Clark films his wife, Barbara, and their son, Richard Augustus Clark II, at their home in Drexel Hills, Pa.

/ AP

Feb. 3, 1959

Dick Clark selects a record in his station library in Philadelphia.

/ AP

May 3, 1960

A group of teens from Lane High School at Charlottesville, Va., get autographs from Dick Clark, television disc jockey, during a break in his appearance before the House Legislative Oversight Subcommittee in Washington.

Charles Gorry / AP

April 29, 1960

Dick Clark, left, as he told House investigators that he never took payola.

July 26, 1960

Television star Dick Clark, his wife, Barbara, and their son, Richard, outside their home near Philadelphia.

/ AP

July 26, 1960

Dick Clark and wife Barbara with their son, Richard, 3, at their home near Philadelphia.

/ AP

1965

Dick Clark is seen in action as executive director of ABC-TV's new musical variety show, "Where The Action Is." Clark built a production complex of varied entertainment for teens.

/ AP

1973

Dick Clark presents the “Rock and Roll Year” — a musical portrait of the 1950s and 1960s on the ABC television network in a series of five specials.

/ AP

December 1980

Dick Clark broadcasts for ABC.

/ AP

1982

Dick Clark, right, and Redskin quarterback Joe Theismann at a party for Clark's radio show on WLTT-FM.

Gary Cameron / The Washington Post

March 31, 1982

Dick Clark, right, gestures toward the "American Bandstand" display at the Smithsonian American History Museum.

Gerald Martineau / The Washington Post

March 31, 1982

Dick Clark, left, talks with teenage fans at the Smithsonian's dedication of his "American Bandstand" exhibit.

Gerald Martineau / The Washington Post

1981

TV host Dick Clark shines a new sign that changes a portion of Philadelphia's Market Street to American Bandstand Boulevard.

Ludwig / AP

1986

Diahann Carroll with date Vic Damone at United Negro College Fund reception at Dick Clark's home in Los Angeles. At right is Robin Givens.

/ AP

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" on the ABC Television Network ushered in the new year from Times Square in New York.

Craig Sjodin / ABC via Getty Images

Jan. 24, 1993

Executive producer Dick Clark, left, and Michael Jackson go over the script during rehearsals for “The American Music Awards” at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

/ AP

1993

Dick Clark hosts a one-hour special featuring all-new bloopers and uncensored outtakes from TV's most popular shows.

Chris Haston / NBC

April 20, 2002

Dick Clark poses for photographers with members of the Village People during a taping of "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration" in Pasadena, Calif.

Jim Ruymen / Reuters

2002

Stevie Wonder is embraced by Dick Clark during a moment before the taping of the American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Celebration in Pasadena, Calif.

E.J. Flynn / AP

2002

Dick Clark, host of “American Bandstand,” introduces Michael Jackson on stage during a taping of the show's 50th anniversary special in Pasadena, Calif.

Kevork Djansezian / AP

Jan. 11, 2003

Dick Clark greets singer Christina Aguilera during rehearsals for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

MARK J. TERRILL / AP

2003

For the 31st consecutive year, Dick Clark led America into the New Year from Times Square in New York, on “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2003.”

Donna Svennevik / ABC

Dec. 31, 2007

Dick Clark receives his annual New Year's kiss from his wife, Kari, as they welcome in 2008 during the 35th anniversary showing of “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve” at Times Square.

/ Getty Images/ABC

June 27, 2010

Dick Clark is seen after the American Bandstand Tribute at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas.

Eric Jamison / AP

April 18, 2012

Flowers rest on Dick Clark's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Damian Dovarganes / AP

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

BALTIMORE, MD May 18: Mike Califano (L) and Anthony Forgione horse around in the infield during the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 18, 2013 in Baltimore, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post)

Photos of the day

Preakness Stakes, deadly tornadoes, Whit Monday, Gothic festival, World Dog Show and more.

Image made from video of tornado touching down near Oklahoma City. (KWTV/KOTV/AP)

Tornado near Oklahoma City causes more damage

A violent twister carved a long and destructive path on the south side of Oklahoma City in the latest of a recent rash of tornadoes. On Sunday...

A man walks on sulphur and mineral salt formations near Dallol in the Danakil Depression, northern Ethiopia April 22, 2013. The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is one of the hottest and harshest environments on earth, with an average annual temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 Celsius). For centuries, merchants have travelled there with caravans of camels to collect salt from the surface of the vast desert basin. The mineral is extracted and shaped into slabs, then loaded onto the animals before being transported back across the desert so that it can be sold around the country. Picture taken April 22, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (ETHIOPIA - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 2 OF 30 FOR PACKAGE 'ETHIOPIA'S ANCIENT SALT TRAIL'
SEARCH 'DANAKIL DEPRESSION' FOR ALL

Ethiopia’s salt trail

For centuries, merchants have traveled to Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression with caravans of camels to collect salt from the surface of the vast desert basin. The mineral is extracted...

FILE - In this undated publicity file photo, members of the Doors, from left, John Densmore, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison, pose for a portrait. Manzarek, the keyboardist who was a founding member of The Doors, has died at 74. Publicist Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald says in a news release that Manzarek died Monday, May 20, 2013, at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, surrounded by his family. (AP Photo, File)

Ray Manzarek, founding member of the Doors, dies at 74

Manzarek co-founded the Doors after meeting then-poet Jim Morrison in California. The band went on to become one of the most successful rock-and-roll...

MANASSAS, VA - MAY 07: Daniel Tabarez, 1, top, helps his daughter, Maxx Tabarez, 1, walks as Milenka St. Clair, top right, a family support worker with Northern Virginia Family Service visits the family's home on Tuesday May 07, 2013 in Manassas, VA. Daniel and his family are part of the Healthy Families program. (Photo by Matt McClain/ The Washington Post)

At-home visits may be the new pre-preschool

In an effort to close the achievement gap, new programs get to kids early. Here are some of the people Milenka St. Clair, a family support worker...

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 19: Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for 'Top Billboard 200 Album' onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards red carpet and ceremony

Stars float down the red carpet in Las Vegas to make their way into a performance-filled awards ceremony featuring artists such as Prince, Justin...

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Joanna Lumley poses during a photocall at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2013 in London, England. The Chelsea Flower Show run by the RHS celebrates its 100th birthday this year. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Joanna Lumley, Madonna, Prince, Tracy Morgan, Nicole Kidman, Justin Timberlake, Gene Simmons and more.

Graduating students' with rain soaked mortar boards from a driving rain, listen as US President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address during a ceremony at Morehouse College on May 19, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Obama addresses Morehouse College graduates

President Obama gets personal about race and manhood in a speech to graduates of historically black Morehouse College.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.