Beyond 'Bandstand': Clark's career highlights

Associated Press SHARE

By The Associated Press, Associated Press

1952: Moves to Philadelphia from his native New York, joins radio station WFIL as a disc jockey.

1956: Joins "American Bandstand" as host, replacing original host Bob Horn. Under Clark's guidance, it's transformed from a local Philadelphia show to a national phenomenon.

1957: Forms a production company, later named dick clark productions, the cornerstone of his entrepreneurial success.

1960: Is called to testify during a Congressional investigation of "payola," or bribery in the record and radio industry. Cleared of any suspicions, he's required by ABC to divest himself of record-company interests.

1963: Hosts "The Dick Clark Radio Show," an early attempt at radio syndication that lasted less than a year.

1972: Produces and hosts "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."

1973: Hosts "The $10,000 Pyramid," which in different versions brought him multiple Emmy Awards for best game show host.

1974: Creates the American Music Awards at the request of ABC, which lost the broadcast rights to the Grammy Awards.

1987: His "American Bandstand," one of network TV's longest-lived series as part of ABC's daytime lineup starting in 1957, ends its network run, moves to syndication.

1989: Produces an "American Bandstand" series for USA Network, with new host David Hirsch, which runs for less than a year.

1993: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clark, who condemned censorship and gave black performers their due, is saluted for defending pop artists and artistic freedom.

2001: Co-hosts "The Other Half," a syndicated daytime talk show for male viewers, with Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce and Dorian Gregory.

2002: Produces "American Dreams," an NBC drama about a Philadelphia teenager who's a regular on "American Bandstand."

2004: Suffers a December stroke, is forced to miss his annual appearance on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." He returns the next year, despite impaired speech, and is praised by stroke victims and others for his bravery.

2006: Honored at the Emmy Awards, he tells the crowd: "I have accomplished my childhood dream, to be in show business. Everybody should be so lucky to have their dreams come true."
