Dick Clark Dead At 82-‘America’s Oldest Teenager’

The man who perhaps was the greatest influence on American popular music, the creator of American Bandstand, and the American Music Awards, Dick Clark died today at age 82.

Also known for the #1 New Year's Eve program, Dick Clark's Rockin New Years Eve,  Clark suffered a massive heart attack earlier today.   He revolutionized American music with the 1950's program American Bandstand on television.  He 'broke' or exposed more new music, new artists, and created more hits than any other musical innovator. He was often referred to as America's Oldest Teenager.

  He also created the American Music Awards in 1974, to combat what he felt were the political nature of the Grammys. Clark felt the American public should be allowed to choose their favorite artists in variety of musical formats, and EVERY musical awards show is patterned after the AMA's--the Country Music Awards, MTV Video awards etc.  

 Clarke also still appeared on his Rockin New Year's Eve show with Ryan Seacrest, even last December 31st despite suffering a stroke in 2004.    He bravely relearned to walk and talk after that stroke, and stayed active in the music scene.  Learn more about this American music pioneer here.