I was having lunch yesterday when I heard the news that Dick Clark had died at age 82. This amazing man was responsible for many things. His show American Bandstand changed the music world. Up until his TV show went national, radio ruled, relative to hit music. That all changed with his show. It became a showcase for talent from everywhere. He gave exposure to Canadian acts such as Bryan Adams, Loverboy and earlier Canadian singing idols Paul Anka and Bobby Curtola. Dick was also generous with black performers.
I first met Dick in the late Sixties in Hollywood when our CBC radio show brought out a game called Trivia. We were invited to Hollywood by Entertainment Tonight to guest and Dick Clark was introduced to me there for the first time. The last time I saw him, he was here in Vancouver doing a movie with Annette and Frankie Avalon titled Back To The Beach. That was 1996.
His stroke years ago did not prevent him from carrying on with his annual New Year’s show from New York City. Dick was also a great businessman, creating television shows such as the annual Golden Globes, American Music Awards and American Country Music Awards. His business acumen was incredible. He was a warm man who had time for everyone. He will be missed.