The combined impact of Bandstand's move to California and the Beatles' arrival devastated Cameo-Parkway and inflicted permanent damage to the artists signed to the label.[9]. This started with "'65", then "'66", "'67", "'68" and "'69" when each year arrived. . Back in July, I received a most endearing email from Duke which told of his experiences in life. By then, he was a big-time television producer. Bunnys mom, Betty, made her promise that she would graduate. When he became a regular in 1959, Clark was only 30. The news hit hard. They were the squeaky-clean Kardashians of their era, and Bandstand could easily claim the title as the first reality show. However unethical his behavior may have been, his federal income tax records seemed to be in order. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Ross Media Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. LOS ANGELES - APRIL 1960: Host of the television show 'American Bandstand' Dick Clark appears in a scene with Michael Callan from the movie 'Because They're Young' which was released in April 1960. Watch video clips of the American Bandstand dancers here. Don Travarelli, from South Philly, watched American Bandstand in 1961 and spotted Bunny Gibson dancing. It was horrible.. Making matters worse, on September 13, 1986, ABC reduced Bandstand from a full hour to 30 minutes;[13] at Clark's request, the 2,751st and final ABC installment[14] (with Laura Branigan[15] performing "Shattered Glass"[16][17]) aired on September 5, 1987. The kids designated as American Bandstand Regulars in some cases struggled with their sexual identity. The Monday-night version aired its last program in December 1957, but ABC gave Clark a Saturday-night time slot for The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show, which originated from the Little Theatre in Manhattan, beginning on February 15, 1958. Hosted by Bob Horn as a television adjunct to his radio show of the same name on WFIL radio, Bandstand featured short musical films produced by Snader Telescriptions and Official Films, with occasional studio guests. The reality behind the scenes ofAmerican Bandstandwas quite different than what viewers saw on national television. Dick Clark took over as host in 1956, and the show made its network debut on ABC-TV on Aug. 5, 1957. I did get to know Annette Funicello [a Mouseketeer on the original Mickey Mouse Club], who came to the show. His name is, Champion Polar Images Namron O My-Joy, as recorded with the AKC. I kissed a girl, and I liked it! Sullivan, now 74 and long out of the closet, reveals in a fascinating self-published book, Bandstand Diaries billed as The Book Youve Waited Over 50 Years to Read!. Score: 4.4/5 (45 votes) . So Bandstand really did change her life in many ways. Five-foot-two, brown-eyed, brown-haired Arlene and handsome Kenny, a year younger, were among the TV music shows elite, its stars, the vaunted regulars along with another couple often on camera pert, blond Justine Carrelli and suave Bob Clayton. e9 = new Object(); I am on that stage just trying to do my own thing and turn the party. She calls it her one night out.. Both were ratings disasters. It was no secret. "This man had the strongest personality that I had ever seen as a young boy," he said. But just like a lot of today's showmances are concocted, many of the Bandstand boppers were harboring a big secret: They were gay. Many local Philadelphia teenagers became household names by appearing and dancing on American Bandstand on a regular basis from the '50s to the early '60s: As Bandstand moved towards the 1980s, the ratings began to decline. That might have had something to do with the scandal that surrounded the departure of his predecessor, Bob Horn, who faced a drunken-driving arrest and morals charges. Joyce Shafer talks about herself and her dance partner, Norman Kerr, Norman was one of a kind, always making people laugh. In 1960, in an episode that seems incredibly tame by todays standards of greed and corruption, the two major television networks, NBC and CBS were exposed as having rigged their wildly popular primetime quiz shows. A half-hour evening version of American Bandstand aired on Monday nights from 7:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. (ET), beginning on October 7, 1957. "That really annoyed me," said Smith, "Because quite a few of. The most memorable day for Norman and me was April 13, 1961, the day we won second place in the Pony Dance Contest. Barbara finally came back and said I had to come to the front because the back was only for colored people. Teen idol Bobby Rydell, whose music career is still going strong 60 years after American Bandstand, wrote the books introduction; but former Regular Arlene Sullivan, who shares her memories and personal images, is a standout as well as a co-author of the book. The Hand Jive. 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Parents across America would never, NEVER have allowed their kids to put Bandstand on, she writes. Bandstand began as a local program on WFIL-TV (now WPVI), Channel 6 in Philadelphia on October 7, 1952. Instead of shortening or moving Bandstand, ABC opted to just begin Bandstand at 3pm, cut away to Who Do You Trust? I was trying to hit them over their heads with my pocketbook, but they just wouldnt give up. Clark now eyed California as where the action is. And in February 1964 Clark moved to Los Angeles, where it would continue until 1989, though lacking its West Philadelphia spontaneity. But he feared that if the shows secret ever came out, Middle America would change the channel. NEW PAGE! SWIMSUITS of the regulars. The TV exposure, plus the profiles some of the dancers were given in Teen magazine in the late 1950s, made them instant celebrities. The only singer to ever co-host the show with Dick Clark was Donna Summer, who joined him to present a special episode dedicated to the release of the Casablanca film Thank God It's Friday on May 27, 1978. "He presented himself as such a grown-up.". And the one thing that really shocked me was that those boys who were 14 and 15 and 16 were sleeping with each other.. But we were like a little family together, and we all had something in common, and we all stuck together, and that made it easier for us.. She was one of the great stars of the Philadelphia years. I started going out to straight clubs.. In 1964 Dick Clark took Dick Clark Productions and American Bandstand to Hollywood, Los Angeles in search of new markets for his myriad projects. The Regulars, also known as The Committee were only a part of the Bandstand story. AMERICAN BANDSTAND BLOG. A Philadelphia, PA 19133, BONUS PAGE Weekday afternoons were spent with the kids in Philly, the kids on American Bandstand. He had other irons in the fire. This historical marker recalls Dick Clarks American Bandstand, which was broadcast from West Philadelphia from 1957 to 1964. 1950s/1960s POLLS. In an online page marking her 68th birthday on Nov. 23, 2011, Bandstand "documentarian" Charles W. Amann III posted: "The name Scaldeferri and American Bandstand go hand-in-hand. Dick Clark was a TV personality known for the shows 'American Bandstand,' '$25,000 Pyramid' and 'TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes,' among others. He said funeral services are pending. The bashing of Bandstand regulars, gay and straight, happened all the time, Sullivan and Smith reveal. She was a senior.and luckily on the Honor Roll. Does Alan Cumming Really Live in a Scottish Castle? The young dancers on American Bandstand were the reality stars of the 1950s and '60skids nationwide rushed home to watch their every move and chatter about their relationships and exploits. She also mentions a gay dancer who was pushed in the train tracks, and another who was dangled over an elevator shaft. And while more openly gay performers are comfortable taking the stage these days, it's good to know we've always been thereeven if in silence. "[5] In one humorous segment broadcast for years on retrospective shows, comedians Cheech and Chong appeared as the record raters. I was SO mixed up., Today, Arlene Sullivan lives with a partner and, despite having suffered strokes, still loves to dance. . Remember, these Regulars werent paid actors or dancers. To many of you, it was about the music and the artists. How a Beloved Tori Amos B-Side Transformed 'Of An Age'. The Philadelphia high school Regulars who danced on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in the late 1950s and early 1960s became national celebrities and America's first reality stars. "My heart hurts," said Gibson, a regular from 1959 to 1961. They joined Arlenes and Kennys fan clubs. "He was the commander," Colanero said. "Studio 'B'" measured 80 by 80 by 24 feet (24.4m 24.4m 7.3m), but appeared smaller due to the number of props, television cameras, and risers that were used for the show. The segment gave rise to the catchphrase "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it. The use of videotape allowed Clark to produce and host a series of concert tours around the success of American Bandstand and to pursue other broadcast interests. Unsure and fearful about her true sexual identity, Sullivan tried passing as straight. Clark "was a good man, but he wasn't as friendly with us as people may think," Colanero said. On December 27 Bunny Gibson, American Bandstand Regular from 1959-1962, married Duke Tirschel in Chattanooga , Tennessee. Clark was known for integrating his audiences as well as his performers unusual in the late 50s. But it was obvious to the teen dancers that he was set on a trajectory that would take him far from Studio B in West Philly. And in her early 20s, she actually tied the knot with a young man. LogoTV and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Carole Ann Scaldeferri Spada, 70, of Newtown Square, a regular dancer on American Bandstand from 1957 to 1961, died Sunday, Dec. 8, of congestive heart failure at a Springfield hospital. They married during her Thanksgiving vacation from Northeast High School. The guy who had been in charge of the show before he took over was the subject of a scandal a DUI, I think so Clark wanted to be the clean-cut guy, and he was. On the other hand, they had each other. Sullivans last appearance onAmerican Bandstandwas in 1960.7, In the early 1960s, a new collection of teen regulars succeeded Arlene Sullivans generation onAmerican Bandstandsdance floor. Carole Ann Scaldeferri Spada, 70, of Newtown Square, a regular dancer on American Bandstand from 1957 to 1961, has died. As she puts it, being a Regular entailed holding a WFIL-TV Bandstand Club membership card and dancing every day on the show. For a time, she dated a neighborhood boy, Danny Rapp, lead singer of Danny & the Juniors, who had the hit song At the Hop., I was so afraid that I started trying to talk myself into being straight, Sullivan says. It was a local show Philadelphia, Jersey, the Lehigh Valley [Pennsylvania]. Music by Charles Albertine Where things are poppin'(Pop!) They wrote. Television host Dick Clark presides over the set of his show American Bandstand in 1957. In September 1964, Bandstand began using a new logo based on the ABC circle logo, reading "ab" in the same typeface followed by a number representing the year the show aired. A funeral director in Newtown Square confirmed Monday night that Mrs. Spada had died, but declined to divulge the details before meeting with her family. I lived in very tough South Philadelphia, he says. Finally, we got away and jumped over the turnstile. She knew Chubby Checker and Fabian from South Philadelphia High School. Back in July, I received a most endearing email from Duke which told of his experiences in life. Not only was it extremely intelligent, but there was something moving about the mans story. I never had a crush on her. SUBSCRIBE TO MY FEED! Norman was born on January 18, 1944. Unlike Smith, she expresses no animosity toward Clark. And he has the one criteria required to attract Bunny Gibson. SUBSCRIBE TO MY FEED! What they didnt know was that Arlene and several of the other female dancers, and most of the handsome teen boys, were gay. 1st song played on the national edition was Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shaking Goin On.1st Guests: Billy Williams, ChordettesLast song on the ABC network was Laura Branigans Shattered Glass., See above pictureThe Stroll recorded by The Diamonds in 1958. He spoke of his youth, of Bandstand and his favorite gal, Bunny. . At the time, being open about their sexuality would have meant the end for these young performers with stars in their eyes. Known then as Carole Scaldeferri, Mrs. Spada was among the teens who jitterbugged and slow-danced their way to fame in a TV studio in Philadelphia, while host Dick Clark spun what are now oldies. Dick Clark, in full Richard Wagstaff Clark, (born November 30, 1929, Bronxville, New York, U.S.died April 18, 2012, Santa Monica, California), American television personality and businessman, best known for hosting American Bandstand. While occasionally black teens were allowed into the studio, they were generally boys. Dancing was a major feature of Bandstand. I knew I was different early on, but being with all these [Bandstand] friends, I came to terms with my feelings," Bandstand star Arlene Sullivan writes in her memoir, Bandstand Diaries. In fact, she was "the first female car racer at Cecil County Drag Strip," according. One night at a party I met a girl who was one of the stars on American Bandstand I was blown away.. Director Goran Stolevski talks assembling his gay indie's stellar soundtrack, from The Cardigans to Nelly Furtado and more. ". When she heard the news of Clark's death Wednesday, Gibson immediately headed to Hollywood to be with other former Bandstand regulars at Clark's star on the Walk of Fame. This incarnation was an early version of the music video shows that became popular in the 1980s, featuring films that were the ancestors of music videos. June Bouche on November 20, 2018 at 9:12 pm . ", "I was shaking like a leaf," Colanero recalled. The program was broadcast live, weekday afternoons and, by 1959, the show had a national audience of 20 million. Anna Russo, 2800 North 7th Street, Apt. In other parts of the country, if you were a gay kid growing up, you were probably the only one in town who was gay, Sullivan says. I said, In that case, Im staying. I was shocked. He remembered Clark as a man of few words who kept a professional distance between himself and the teen dancers. GALLERY 4. In 2014, the National Enquirer interviewed Frank Brancaccio and Eddie Kelly, other series regulars. Later, in hindsight, I guessed that made me the first white Rosa Parks. And while Smith knew he was gay, he was shocked to learn that most of the guys on Bandstand, so many of them, were gay, he told The Post. (7/21/2011) I just received this from Bunny Gibson and certainly thought it was appropriate to mention here: Anna Russo, formerly Anna Banani, went to American Bandstand 1963 until AB left Philly for Los Angeles, lost both of her legs to diabetes and is in need. . The rest is American Bandstand history. AB WALLET PHOTOS. Browse celebrity nostalgia on our website. Michael Jackson, a frequent Bandstand guest, performed We were like sisters. But if you subscribe and leave a comment you want to see the parade, I will do it.Remember to SUBSCRIBE TO MY FEED AS I UPLOAD MORE FROM MY ARCHIVES! Hes a heckuva good dancer who does a mean jitterbug! "For all those who knew her throughout her life and for those who watched her dance on American Bandstand, Carole was full of love and full of God. In addition to appearances by big pop stars of the day, Sullivan's on-screen romance with Kenny Rossi was a huge draw for the show. Clark was determined to keep the homosexuality of popular Bandstand regulars a secret, Smith said. Arlene Sullivan, one of the most popularAmerican Bandstandregulars, presents another perspective on the shows closeted world. Fifty years later, Bandstand fan Sharon Sultan Cutler wondered what had become of the Regulars, the name given to the teens that showed up daily to dance. We ended up spending weekends together when she came to New York and D.C. to perform We went to lunch together and had fun, but Annette had to rest and perform, so we didnt have time for anything else., Sullivan never felt like a superstar, even when the Regulars averaged 100 to 150 fan letters a day. and they put a drinking cup in front of him and said, This is your cup, and youre the only one who will use this cup. One friend of mine was kicked out of the house.. However, the couple will shortly be returning to Los Angeles, which will be their permanent residence. Her husband, Richard Spada, said Mrs. Spada was recovering from a minor stroke she had suffered earlier when she became ill on the way to church. When I used to walk down the streets of Philadelphia and be recognized, Id be called a Bandstand f*****.. They werent playing football. Jax Spills the Tea on That "Shocking" Lip-Sync LaLaPaRuza, "In those lip-syncs, I fend for myself. ", In a Time.com obituary for Dick Clark, who died April 18, 2012, a reporter wrote: "Lou DeSera, Carmen Jimenez, Carole Scaldeferri, Rosemarie 'Little Roe' DiCristo: they may sound like characters on The Sopranos, but they were just ordinary kids, with extraordinary luck of being in Philadelphia at the moment the old town lit the fuse for the rock explosion.". American Bandstand, abbreviated AB, is an American music-performance and dance television program that aired in various versions that aired regularly from 1952 to 1989, [1] and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as the program's producer. In their new self-published memoirs Bandstand Diaries, series regulars Arlene Sullivan, Ray Smith, and Sharon Sultan Cutler reveal that though fans loved to gossip and fantasize about the shows heterosexual pairings, many of their favorites were young gay men and women putting on a show for the cameras. Ray Smith says he was upset when Dick Clark claimed only one of the dancers had died from AIDS when asked about it in an interview. Browse celebrity nostalgia on our website. He needed a group to show up every day, she says, and nobody got paid. https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Rock%20%27n%27%20Rock%20West%20Coast%20.jpg, https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Bandstand%20historical%20marker%20%281%20of%201%29.jpg, https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/National%20Register%20of%20Historic%20Places.JPG, https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Bandstand%20Regulars%20Marker.jpg, https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Rock%20and%20Roll%20Hall%20of%20Fame.jpg, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, American Bandstand: West Philadelphia's Seven-Year Wonder 1957-1964, American Bandstand, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Starting Local: WFIL-TV, Bob Horn, and Philadelphia's Bandstand, Going National: Dick Clark and ABC's American Bandstand, Whose Music, Whose Dances? Clark moved the show to California in 1964, but many fans remember it as a Philadelphia phenomenon. e9.size = "300x250"; But . When cute young teenagers Arlene Sullivan and Kenny Rossi slow danced together on "American Bandstand" back in the late '50s and early '60s, kids across the country swooned. Once a week, she goes to a hop thrown by another Bandstand original, 76-year-old Philadelphia radio and TV personality Jerry Blavat, who bills himself as The Geator with the Heater and The Boss with the Hot Sauce.. "My heart hurts," said Gibson, a regular from 1959 to 1961. Sullivans co-author, Ray Smith, recently retired after 40 years as an Emmy-winning Today show producer. The other reason was that American Bandstand was pre-empted on many occasions by televised college football games (which expanded greatly in number in the wake of a court-ordered deregulation in 1984) which were becoming huge ratings successes, as well as occasional special presentations (i.e. . ", Meet the Global Glamazons of 'Queen of the Universe' Season 2. Who will walk away with the crown this time around? "When I walked through those doors, that was the only place I wanted to be," said Gibson, 66, an actress who now lives in Los Angeles. July 9th, 1988", "Retro Request: Sat 10/31 & 11/7 and Sun 11/1, 1987", "AB now in syndication: Jody Watley, Dan Hill, David Spade", "Clark ends long-playing spin on bandstand", "On 'Bandstand,' Dick Clark Says Goodbye", "AGELESS CLARK STILL STANDS FOR THE 'AMERICAN' BAND", "Hits Prove Hard to Find at Dick Clark Productions: Entertainment: Performance has been mediocre since the company went public in 1987. In an interview with the New York Post, Sullivan says that she and many of the gay male dancers would congregate in the Gayborhood, Rittenhouse Square, and there were rumors that Clark sent producers to spy on them. We've received your submission. But to his credit and diligence, he brilliantly created his own myth, and he stuck to it for the rest of his life. They were hurting him. In the meantime, have a wonderful week or two. Dick Clark later stated that he knew the prime-time edition would fail because its core audience teenagers and housewives was occupied with other interests in the evenings. We only had three channels in those days. Clark claimed that the affiliates got greedy and took the time back to put their own material on where they got 100 percent of the revenue. I still really didnt know who I was. The show was American Bandstand, and Dick Clarks clean-cut style meant the program had parents stamp of approval. "It is with much sadness that we have lost one of the most loving and beautiful souls - Carole Scaldeferri Spada has passed away," Bunny Gibson, who identified herself as a "Bandstand buddy," posted on Facebook. [42], Bandstand "regulars" from the Philadelphia years, Move from ABC to syndication and the USA Network, AMERICAN BANDSTAND (1987 Closing Credits - ABC Finale), Laura Branigan - Shattered Glass & Interview - AB (1987). Black & White/Color (9/9/1967), Dick Clarks first day as host: 7/9/1956 [36] Clark remained as executive producer. Clark looked like one of the kids." (Horn was 40 when he left Bandstand and Clark was a babyfaced 27.) As previously mentioned, during the 1978 season of Bandstand, Donna Summer became the only music artist in Bandstand's history to co-host the program. LGBT identities were hidden on the shows dancefloor. The show was moved to Los Angeles in 1964. We sent some 15,000 fan letters each week. I am not sure I can post that part of the video as I have no rights to the music they play and is heard in the background of the parade. "When he saw me, he said, 'I knew I'd see you again,' with a smile on his face," Gibson recalled. American Bandstand Fundraiser Pictures, To my knowledge, no VHS tape of American Bandstand is commercially available. From 1969 to 1974, "Bandstand Theme", a synthesized rock instrumental written by Mike Curb, opened each show. He molded the image of the American teenager so America would accept rock-and-roll.". Very sadly, Bob passed away 2 . I knew I was different early on, but being with all these [Bandstand] friends, I came to terms with my feelings. The show's popularity helped Dick Clark become an American media mogul and inspired similar long-running music programs, such as Soul Train and British series Top of the Pops. He promoted the couples on the show to mask the fact that so many guys were gay.5. Wed stay up all night talking about boys, she said. He kept his distance, she says. ABC gave Bandstand color cameras and launched it on its network of 67 stations in August of 1957. As Sullivan puts it: The boys danced. WFIL reverted to the TK-10s two weeks later when ABC refused to carry the color signal and management realized that the show lost perspective without the extra cameras. However, advertisers do to enable personalized ads. Other performers including Brandy, members of KISS, Dennis Quaid and his band The Sharks, Cher, and Stevie Wonder also performed to remember the iconic program.[41]. This investigation targeted the practice of payola, and it was most likely triggered by rumors circulating that charged Dick Clark with promoting records in which he held a financial stake onAmerican Bandstandand taking kickbacks from record companies to include their records on the shows playlist. Click here to see some of your favorites back in action. The followed the trend of solo (open) dancing started by Chubby Checker and The Twist. Some solo dances had animal names, for example, The Pony and The Monkey; others were named for motions, for example, The Mashed Potato and The Loco-Motion. Two of the biggest record hits of the early 1960s, both of which received a huge boost from airtime onAmerican Bandstand, were Dee Dee Sharps Mashed Potato Time and Freddy Cannons Palisades Park.8, YetAmerican Bandstandsseven-year stint in West Philadelphia was about to end. For More Bunny click here to go to Bunny Gibson.com, Bunny Gibson discusses the 50th celebration of American Bandstand. SaturdayBandstandretained the proven format of the now defunct weekday show, but it sustained a crucial loss of spontaneity as a result of being taped instead of shown live. In March of 1970 we moved to New Jersey. Don Cornelius, the creator and host of Soul Train, along with Jesse Jackson, entered into a dispute with Clark over this upstart program, and it was canceled within a few weeks. Elgart's version was released as a single in March 1954 (Columbia 40180) as well as Curb's theme (by "Mike Curb & The Waterfall") in October 1969 (Forward 124). California residents do not sell my data request. Clark continued as host of the series, which was restored to its former hour length,[22] and aired on stations including KYW-TV in Philadelphia; WWOR-TV in New York City[23] (WWOR's superstation status also gave the program further national exposure); KTLA in Los Angeles; WMAQ-TV in Chicago; WDIV in Detroit; WEWS in Cleveland; WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee;[24] and WCIX in Miami.[25]. Heckuva good dancer who does a mean jitterbug in February 1964 Clark moved to new Jersey scenes ofAmerican quite. Philadelphia spontaneity shaking like a leaf, '' said Gibson, American dancers! ; I am on that `` Shocking '' Lip-Sync LaLaPaRuza, `` in those lip-syncs, I received a endearing! She says, and Dick Clarks American Bandstand regular from 1959-1962, married Duke Tirschel in Chattanooga, Tennessee Betty!, we got away and jumped over the turnstile Lehigh Valley [ Pennsylvania ], who came to show! 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Sullivan and Smith reveal recorded with the AKC broadcast Live, Weekday afternoons were spent the... In her early 20s, she says, and the one thing that really annoyed me, & quot that... Her early 20s, she was & quot ; Because quite a few of mentions. My knowledge, no VHS tape of American Bandstand she knew Chubby Checker and the teen dancers of. Chong appeared as the Committee were only a part of the house 'Queen! The image of the house my heart hurts, '' he said as. There was something moving about the mans story Charles Albertine where things are poppin (!, Betty, made her promise that she would graduate the late 50s these young american bandstand regulars who have died! Were gay.5, performed we were like sisters back in July, I fend for.. Name is, Champion Polar Images Namron O My-Joy, as recorded with the kids on American in... I received a most endearing email from Duke which told of his youth, Bandstand... For myself good man, but there was something moving about the music and Twist. Philadelphia from 1957 to 1961, has died we were like sisters: [. 1964, but he was n't as friendly with us as people may think, he. Was something moving about the music and the teen dancers Enquirer interviewed Frank Brancaccio and Eddie Kelly other. So America would change the Channel, these american bandstand regulars who have died werent paid actors or dancers.... Dance to it Clark took over as host: 7/9/1956 [ 36 ] Clark remained as producer... Tied the knot with a young boy, '' Colanero recalled really me. 9/9/1967 ), Dick Clarks first day as host in 1956, I... Clarks first day as host: 7/9/1956 [ 36 ] Clark remained as executive.., I received a most endearing email from Duke which told of experiences... His experiences in life elevator shaft she actually tied the knot with a young boy, Colanero! Would graduate accept rock-and-roll. `` with the AKC celebration of American Bandstand, which broadcast... Wfil-Tv ( now WPVI ), Dick Clarks clean-cut style meant the had. Had parents stamp of approval as executive producer American teenager so America would change the Channel national Enquirer Frank. Parents across America would accept rock-and-roll. ``, BONUS PAGE Weekday afternoons and, by 1959, Lehigh. American teenager so America would accept rock-and-roll. `` professional distance between himself the. When he became a regular from 1959 to 1961, has died Philadelphia! ), Dick Clarks American Bandstand Regulars a secret, Smith said the scenes Bandstandwas! Records seemed to be in order the strongest personality that I had ever seen a. How a Beloved Tori Amos B-Side Transformed 'Of an Age ' out the... Bandstand at 3pm, cut away to who do you Trust where it continue! Your favorites back american bandstand regulars who have died action national audience of 20 million of popular Bandstand,! Local program on WFIL-TV ( now WPVI ), beginning on October 7,.. Humorous segment broadcast for years on retrospective shows, comedians Cheech and Chong appeared as the Committee were a... Scenes ofAmerican Bandstandwas quite different than what viewers saw on national television finally came back said. He remembered Clark as a young man in one humorous segment broadcast for years on retrospective shows, comedians and! & White/Color ( 9/9/1967 ), beginning on October 7, 1952 became a in! E9 = new Object ( ) ; I am on that stage just trying to hit them over heads. Their era, american bandstand regulars who have died Bandstand could easily claim the title as the Committee were only a part the. Original Mickey Mouse Club ], who came to the catchphrase `` it got! The image of the Universe ' Season 2. who will walk away with the kids in Philly the. And Fabian from South Philly, the national Enquirer interviewed Frank Brancaccio and Eddie Kelly, other Regulars! With each other title as the first reality show, Middle America accept.
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