America’s Oldest Teenager, Dick Clark, Dies at 82.

America’s Oldest Teenager, Dick Clark, passed away on Wednesday. He was one of the most prolific television personalities and producers of the 20th century.

His career started in Philadelphia where he worked as a disc jockey at WFIL. He took over as permanent host of “Bandstand” in 1956, which was eventually renamed American Bandstand and broadcast nationally in 1964. Soon after, Clark insisted that the show be integrated, ending the “whites only” policy. He produced national music tours where whites and blacks performed on the same stage, even though the audience had to be separated.

He produced and starred in New Year’s Rockin’ Eve to give young people an alternative to Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians starting in 1972 and he continued his countdown to midnight straight through to 2011. Dick Clark productions produced many game shows and syndicated radio programs and as an alternative to the Grammys, he created the American Music Awards in 1973, to get more “in touch” with young people by allowing them to vote for the winners.

Although he was occasionally the brunt of jokes, his influence in the entertainment industry is far-reaching. For many of us, he was like a friend who turned us on to music, dances and much more.

He will be missed.

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