American Band Stand & New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’s Dick Clark Dead at the Age of 82 … Rest in Peace

It is the death of an American icon … TV legend Dick Clark, the world’s oldest teenager dead at the age of 82.

It is truly a sad day as a piece of my childhood died today as Dick Clark passed away at the age of 82. According to reports, Dick Clark passed away from a massive heart attack at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, CA. The man was a part of millions of people’s homes. The oldest teenager has passed … Dick Clark will be missed.

Who didn’t grow up with Dick Clark ringing in the New Year with “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve? I can remember the very first one transitioning from Guy Lombardo to a more hip way to ring in the New Year. I cannot remember a year that Dick Clark was not a part of my New Year’s except in 2004, when Clark suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and struggling to speak. I have to admit that the following year when a speech impaired Dick Clark counted down 2005, several tears came rolled down my face as Mr. Clark struggled through the countdown that had been the trademark of his career.

Dick Clark: 1929-2012

VIDEO

Dick Clark, the creator of “American Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” died Wednesday morning.

He was 82.

Clark suffered a massive heart attack after entering St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica on Tuesday night for an outpatient procedure, his family said in a statement.

Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Clark had suffered a stroke in 2004, which forced him to significantly curtail his hosting of “New Years’ Rockin’ Eve,” a show he created in 1972.

American Bandstand – Dick Clark – 2/12/66

ABC News has more from the life and time of Dick Clark and the New York Times.

Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on Nov. 30, 1929, Richard Wagstaff Clark began his lifelong career in show business began before he was even out of high school. He started working in the mailroom of WRUN, a radio station in upstate New York run by his father and uncle. It wasn’t long before the teenager was on the air, filling in for the weatherman and the announcer.

“American Bandstand’s” formula was simple. Clean-cut boys and girls danced to the hottest hits and the newest singles. In between, Clark chatted with the teens, who helped “rate-a-record,” turning songs into sensations. Everyone showed up on “American Bandstand,” from Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry to Chubby Checker.

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC became a Dec. 31 tradition, with Clark hosting the festivities for more than three decades, introducing the entertainment acts and, of course, counting down to midnight as the ball dropped in New York’s Times Square.

Dick Clark discusses the genesis of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

Rest in Peace Dick Clark … you brought so much joy to so many. You will forever be a part of News year’s forever. God Bless.