Legendary television and broadcast host Dick Clark has passed on aged 82. The host of the iconic “American Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” TV shows died of a massive heart attack. He had gone for an outpatient procedure at St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica and suffered the heart attack after the procedure. Desperate attempts to resuscitate him were futile. Clark had suffered a mild stroke in 2004 and had Type 2 diabetes.
Ryan Seacrest, the current host of the New Year’s Eve special show eulogized Dick Clark on CNN as the person with greatest degree of influence in his life. He also inspired other TV legends. Don Cornelius famously said he ditched selling home insurance so as to go and learn broadcasting. He set up his own show, “Soul Train” that competed with “American Bandstand”.
Clark’s fondly called America’s Oldest Teenager, has been recognized with 5 Emmy awards and numerous Hall of Fame inductions. One statement that describes him best is by musician, Tony Orlando who said “Only God has made more stars than Dick Clark”.
