American Bandstand
The first network show dedicated exclusively to rock and roll, American Bandstand started as a local show in Philadelphia in 1952 under the name Bandstand.
Bob Horn hosted on a set that looked like a record store, showing film
clips of musicians as a live audience of teenagers danced to the latest
tunes.
In 1956, local DJ Dick Clark took over as host. The following year,
the show was picked up by 67 ABC affiliates, some for the full 90
minutes and others for just 60 or 30 minutes. The show was broadcast
weekday afternoons and was given a primetime slot for 13 weeks in the
fall of 1957. Clark preferred a simple set of bleachers and a podium
over the original record store concept.
Aside from the kids dancing, Clark would introduce guests who
lip-synced to their own songs and would play “Rate a Record” with a few
teens chosen from the audience, giving the kids an opportunity to pass
judgement on the latest single. Other features on the show included a
weekly top ten and a yearly dance contest.
Frequent guest artists included The Beatles appeared on the show.
The show was moved to Saturday afternoons in 1963. The following
spring, the show move to Los Angeles, where Clark established Dick
Clark Productions to promote concerts and develop the TV shows Happening '68).
Clark and ABC parted ways in 1987 when the network wanted the show
cut to 30 minutes. Wanting to keep the 60-minute format, Clark took American Bandstand
to syndication for a year and a half, then moved the show to the USA
network, where he handed over the hosting reins to 26-year-old David
Hirsch.
The show lasted for another 26 weeks, drawing to a close one of the
most successful and best loved programs ever to light up the small
screen. It was hip, you could dance to it, and for over 35 years, American Bandstand proved that rock and roll was, indeed, here to stay.
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