Dick Clark dies

The seemingly ageless Dick Clark passed away.  He was 82.  Through radio, the long-lived TV dance show “American Bandstand,” his New Year’s Eve specials, and as an overall music impresario, Clark presided over practically the whole gamut of American pop music, from the very beginnings of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 1950s through today’s rap music. Here is a good survey of his life and career:  Dick Clark of ‘American Bandstand’ fame dies at 82 – latimes.com.

“American Bandstand” introduced rock ‘n’ roll to the teen-aged masses.  I liked the part where he would play a new song for a couple to rate.  Whereupon we would often get this critical analysis:  “It’s got a good beat. It’s easy to dance to.”