Saying Goodbye to a Friend ... Dick Clark

DICK CLARK

November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012 

Photo credit: Huffington Post

Today brought some of the saddest news that any music lover could hear, the death of a legend, an icon, an era ... Dick Clark.

Dick Clark was the name I heard after Saturday morning cartoons as he kick started my day, starting at the age of probably 5, with the hoppin', poppin', swingin' and jumpin' of American Bandstand. AB introduced myself and the rest of the world to such musical legends including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Alabama, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and even the immortal country voice of Patsy Cline. Even Lovin' Lyrics favorite country group of all time, The Oak Ridge Boys, graced the stage for the televised 30th Anniversary of American Bandstand. American Bandstand was not genre biased, the show featured artists of all genres and appreciated the art that is music. It wasn't all about who could put on the best show, make the most money, or any of the stuff that music's drifted to today, it was about the music, period, and making sure new artists were heard. Dick Clark made every artist feel like the biggest star on the scene and he made us feel like we were watching someone special. To Dick, I am extremely grateful for his love of music and for bringing to us every weekend like he did. Dick, you made music worth listening to and to me, were the first true promoter of new artists.

Dick Clark was not only the master behind American Bandstand, he was also the man who most Americans spent their lonely New Year's Eve with, watching the ball drop in Times Square, wishing they had someone to toast with champagne, wear their stupid party hats, blow their multi-colored party horns and lay a big kiss on at midnight. New Years Eve won't be the same for most of us starting in 2013. I'd like to thank Mr. Clark for being my yearly date for the beginning of each new year as far back as I can remember.

You are an American artifact, a legend, and a much missed friend to many. The world will miss you Dick Clark. Heaven's angels are doing some serious band standing tonight.

~Jenn