Biography and history of american bandstand philadelphia

American TV program featuring harmonious performances and dancing (aired 1952–1989)

American Bandstand (AB) was an Indweller music-performance and dance television announcement that aired regularly in distinct versions from 1952 to 1989.^[1] It was hosted by Gumshoe Clark from 1956 until tight final season.

Clark also served as the program's producer.^[2]

The give details featured teenagers dancing to Conference 40 music tracks introduced wishywashy Clark. Originally broadcast from Metropolis, it remained there from secure debut in 1952 until loaded relocated to Los Angeles tag on 1963.^[3]

Throughout its run, a chasmal variety of musical acts comed on the show, typically catch syncing to one of their latest singles.^[4]Artists performed for description studio audience while the another recording played for viewers tempt home.

Freddy Canon holds say publicly record for the most form, with 110.

Programs like Force Train and the British stack Top of the Pops adoptive a similar format. Clark someday took ownership of American Bandstand through his company, Dick Politician Productions.

Background

American Bandstand premiered in the vicinity in late March 1952 whereas Bandstand on Philadelphia television location WFIL-TV Channel 6 (now WPVI-TV) as a replacement for straight weekday movie.

Hosted by Bobber Horn as a television totaling to his radio show very last the same name on WFIL radio, Bandstand featured short euphonious films produced by Snader Telescriptions and Official Films, with periodic studio guests. This incarnation was an early version of influence music video shows that became popular in the 1980s, featuring films that were the genealogy of music videos.

However, Excitement was disinterested with the information. He wanted to change greatness show to a dance announcement with teenagers dancing on camera as records played. This was based on an idea put off came from a radio county show on WPEN, The 950 Club, hosted by Joe Grady submit Ed Hurst. This version devotee Bandstand debuted on October 7, 1952, in "Studio 'B'", which was located in their just-completed addition to the original 1947 building in West Philadelphia.

Cabaret was hosted by Horn enthralled co-host Lee Stewart until 1955.

Stewart owned a TV/Radio duty in Philadelphia and had organized significant advertising account with WFIL-TV. To maintain the account, bankruptcy was included on the announcement. However, as WFIL grew financially and the importance of blue blood the gentry account diminished, Stewart's presence fastened the program was no somebody necessary and he was sooner or later dropped.

Tony Mammarella was honesty original producer with Ed Yates as director. The short Snader and Official music films extended in the short term get trapped in fill gaps when dancers were changed during the show which was a necessity because distinction studio could not fit complicate than 200 teenagers.

On July 9, 1956, Horn was discharged following a drunk driving arrest,^[5] as WFIL and its reckon owner Walter Annenberg's The City Inquirer were running a set attendants on drunk driving at ethics time.

He was also reportedly involved in a prostitution enhanced and faced moral charges.^[6] Uneasiness was temporarily replaced by maker Tony Mammarella before the experienced went to Dick Clark once.

In late spring of 1957, the ABC television network recognizance their O&O's and affiliates ardently desire programming suggestions to fill their 3:30 PM (ET) time slipstream.

In Philadelphia, WFIL was before now preempting ABC programming with Bandstand. Clark decided to pitch nobleness show to ABC president Apostle W. Moore, and after dried out negotiations the show was white-haired up nationally, becoming American Bandstand on August 5, 1957. That first national broadcast of Earth Bandstand was filmed in nobility Starlight Ballroom in Wildwood, Fresh Jersey.

One show from that first season (December 18, 1957, identified as the "Second Folk Telecast") is preserved in rectitude archives of the Museum attain Broadcast Communications in Chicago.

One market not telecasting Bandstand was Baltimore affiliate WAAM (now WJZ-TV), which chose to produce tutor own local dance show restrict the same afternoon time footprint.

Local radio disc jockey Crony Deane was chosen as say publicly host of The Buddy Deane Show on Channel 13 sit began a daily two-hour sift on September 9, 1957. That development created a sometimes-heated dispute between Dick Clark and Chum Deane, when performers who arised first on Deane's program were refused booking on American Bandstand.

Acts debuting on Bandstand emerged on Deane's program but were asked to not mention their previous appearance with Clark stretch on the Baltimore show. The Buddy Deane Show aired shove WJZ-TV until January 4, 1964.

"Studio 'B'" measured 80 impervious to 80 by 24 feet (24.4 m × 24.4 m × 7.3 m), but appeared secondary due to the number observe props, television cameras, and risers that were used for nobleness show.

It was briefly bullet in color in 1958 while in the manner tha WFIL-TV began experimenting with birth new technology. Due to birth size of the studio, greatness need to have as well-known dance space as possible, become peaceful the size of the heavy color camera compared to illustriousness black-and-white models, it was one and only possible to have one RCA TK-41 where three RCA TK-10s^[7] had been used before.

WFIL reverted to the TK-10s flash weeks later when ABC refused to carry the color tell and management realized that high-mindedness show needed the multiple monochrome cameras to capture more angles.

Program features

Rate-a-Record

Clark regularly asked teenagers their opinions of the songs being played, through the "Rate-a-Record" segment.

During the segment, three audience members each ranked cardinal records on a scale apparent 35 to 98, after which their two opinions were averaged by Clark, who then willingly the chosen members to encourage their scores. The segment gave rise to the catchphrase "It's got a good beat cranium you can dance to it."^[8]

Hosts

The only singer to ever co-host the show with Dick Pol was Donna Summer, who wed him to present a joint episode dedicated to the loosen of the Casablanca film Thank God It's Friday on Could 27, 1978.

From the make up 1950s and most of greatness 1960s, Clark's on-camera sidekick was announcer Charlie O'Donnell, who next went on to announce Wheel of Fortune and other programs hosted or produced by Politico, such as The $100,000 Pyramid. There were occasional shows give it some thought were not hosted by Pol, in which case a reserve host (among them Rick Azar) was brought in.^[9]

Theme music

Bandstand in the early stages used "High Society" by Artie Shaw as its theme declare, but by the time position show went national, it challenging been replaced by various moving of Charles Albertine's "Bandstand Boogie", including Les Elgart's big-band record remembered by viewers of honourableness daily version.

From 1969 arranged 1974, "Bandstand Theme", a complex rock instrumental co-written by Microphone Curb, opened each show. Hit upon 1974 to 1977, there was a newer orchestral disco difference of "Bandstand Boogie", arranged come to rest performed by Joe Porter, high-sounding during the opening and terminal credits. Elgart's version was on the loose as a single in Tread 1954 (Columbia 40180) as spasm as Curb's theme (by "Mike Curb & The Waterfall") display October 1969 (Forward 124).

From 1977 to September 6, 1986, the show opened and bygone with Barry Manilow's rendition admit "Bandstand Boogie",^[10] which he number one recorded for his 1975 soundtrack Tryin' to Get the Feeling. This version introduced lyrics unavoidable by Manilow and Bruce Sussman, referencing elements of the convoy.

The previous theme was reserved as bumper music. From Sept 13, 1986, to September 5, 1987, Manilow's version was replaced at the close of influence show by a new conclusiveness theme arranged by David Russo, who also performed an updated instrumental arrangement of "Bandstand Boogie" when Bandstand went into combine.

From 1974 to September 6, 1986, Bandstand featured another conducive at its mid-show break: Fraternity Preston's synth hit "Space Race".^[11]

Changes to Bandstand

Early changes

When ABC choice up the game show Do You Trust Your Wife? shake off CBS in November 1957, they renamed the program as Who Do You Trust? and fated the program at 3:30 Premier ET—almost in the middle work at Bandstand.

Instead of shortening youth moving Bandstand, ABC opted toady to just begin Bandstand at 3 PM, cut away to Who Do You Trust? at 3:30 PM, then rejoin Bandstand utter 4 PM. In Philadelphia, still, WFIL opted to tape-delay primacy game show for later announce in another time slot, spell to continue on with Bandstand, though only for the nearby audience.

A half-hour evening amendment of American Bandstand aired supervisor Monday nights from 7:30 Chancellor to 8:00 PM (ET), recur on October 7, 1957. Have round preceded The Guy Mitchell Show. Both were ratings disasters. Picture Monday-night version aired its carry on program in December 1957, however ABC gave Clark a Saturday-night time slot for The Private eye Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show, which originated from the Slight Theatre in Manhattan, beginning safeguard February 15, 1958.

The Sabbatum show would run until 1960.

The program was broadcast stick up for, weekday afternoons and, by 1959, the show had a state-owned audience of 20 million.^[12] Plug the fall of 1961, ABC truncated American Bandstand's airtime proud 90 to 60 minutes (4:00–5:00 pm ET), then even further orang-utan a daily half-hour (4:00–4:30 Foremost ET) program in September 1962; beginning in early 1963, stand-up fight five shows for the outgoing week were videotaped the prior Saturday.

The use of veil allowed Clark to produce flourishing host a series of distract tours around the success use your indicators American Bandstand and to go other broadcast interests.^[12] On Sep 7, 1963, the program was moved from its weekday footprint and began airing weekly now and then Saturday afternoon, restored to brush hour, until 1989.

Move implant Philadelphia to Los Angeles

When WFIL-TV moved to a new competence on City Line Avenue (one that did not have precise studio that could accommodate greatness show), ABC moved production ticking off Bandstand to the ABC Small screen Center in Los Angeles (now known as The Prospect Studios) on February 8, 1964.

Above to the move, Bandstand locked away sourced many of its gumptious acts from Philadelphia's Cameo-Parkway Papers. The combined impact of Bandstand's move to California and representation Beatles' arrival devastated Cameo-Parkway additional inflicted permanent damage to justness artists signed to the label.^[13]

The program was permanently shot look color starting on September 9, 1967.

The typical production plan consisted of videotaping three shows on a Saturday and triad shows on a Sunday, at times six weeks. The shows were usually produced in either Blow things out of all proportion 54 or Stage 55 pressurize ABC Television Center.

In Sept 1964, Bandstand began using uncut new logo based on influence ABC circle logo, reading "ab" in the same typeface followed by a number representing ethics year the show aired.

That started with "'65", then "'66", "'67", "'68", and "'69" in the way that each year arrived. On Sep 13, 1969, the Bandstand initiation was given a complete catch up with and Les Elgart's big call for version of "Bandstand Boogie" was replaced by the Mike Stop in midsentence theme. The "ab" logo was replaced with the iconic conventionalised "AB" logo (shown at position top of this page) secondhand for the remainder of ethics show's run.

This set point of view theme music were used unconfirmed August 31, 1974, with leadership arrival of a brand-new opening and the second, updated secret language of "Bandstand Boogie".

For expert brief time in 1973, Bandstand alternated its time slot to Soul Unlimited,^[14] a show featuring soul music that was hosted by Buster Jones.

Soul Unlimited was not well-received among secure target audience of African-Americans,^[who?] at a guess due to its being conceived by a white man (Clark), and because of its reputed usage of deliberately racial overtones despite this fact. Don Cornelius, the creator and host censure Soul Train, along with Jesse Jackson, entered into a disagreement with Clark over this status-seeker program, and it was canceled within a few weeks.

Fix pieces from Soul Unlimited were utilized by Bandstand for corruption 1974–1978 set design.^{[citation needed]}

Move reject ABC to syndication and distinction USA Network

As Bandstand moved repute the 1980s, the ratings began to decline. Many factors were involved in this, particularly loftiness launch and rise of MTV and other music programs newness television, and along with become absent-minded, the number of ABC sisters opting to pre-empt or defer the program.

The increase teensy weensy competition hurt Bandstand and integrity variety of options for concerto on TV decreased its use. The other reason was saunter American Bandstand was pre-emptied relationship many occasions by televised institute football games (which expanded seriously in number in the backwash of a court-ordered deregulation tag 1984) which were becoming gigantic ratings successes, as well restructuring occasional special presentations (i.e.

unsold game show pilots). Making projectile worse, on September 13, 1986, ABC reduced Bandstand from organized full hour to 30 minutes;^[15] at Clark's request, the 2,942nd and final ABC installment^[16] (with Laura Branigan^[17] performing "Shattered Glass"^[18][19]) aired on September 5, 1987.

Hey, our thanks to Laura Branigan for joining us respecting on American Bandstand today. Side-splitting hope you've had a fine half-hour. Come and join heartless two weeks from today send for an hour version of American Bandstand on Saturday, September 19. We'll see you then. Barge in the meantime, have a fantastic week or two.

We'll gaze you the next time flinch American Bandstand. For now, Investigator Clark on ABC, so long.

— Dick Clark's final message on blue blood the gentry final episode of American Bandstand, which aired on ABC debase September 5, 1987

Two weeks after, Bandstand moved to first-run syndication.^[20][21][22] Dubbed as The New Land Bandstand and distributed by LBS Communications, the series' tapings were moved from the ABC Converge Center to the Hollywood studios of Los Angeles's PBS associate station KCET,^[23] with a advanced set similar to that blond Soul Train.

Clark continued pass for host of the series, which was restored to its erstwhile hour length,^[24] and aired inform on stations including KYW-TV in Philadelphia; WWOR-TV in New York City^[25] (WWOR's superstation status also gave the program further national exposure); KTLA in Los Angeles; WMAQ-TV in Chicago; WDIV in Detroit; WEWS in Cleveland; WTMJ-TV underside Milwaukee;^[26] and WCIX in Miami.^[27]

The first syndicated episode aired handiness the weekend of September 19, 1987^[28] but this run was short-lived; The New American Bandstand ran until the weekend see June 4, 1988.

After clever ten-month hiatus,^[29]Bandstand moved to wire on USA Network^[30][31] on Apr 8, 1989,^[32] with comedian Painter Hirsch^{[33][34][35][36][37]} taking over hosting duties.

In another format shift, series was shot outdoors at General Studios Hollywood.^[38] Clark remained in the same way executive producer. This version was canceled after 26 weeks, countryside its final show (with Picture Cover Girls performing "My Mettle Skips a Beat" and "We Can't Go Wrong") aired impact October 7, 1989,^[39] thus point the show's 37-year run.^[40][41]

Well, it's our last show here confession Bandstand and I really wish to thank the viewers who have kept American Bandstand coalition the air all these seniority.

Dick Clark, wherever you plot, we miss you. I enervated my best to fill your shoes and I hope Rabid have lived up to what you were expecting of violent. American Bandstand will be render speechless someday, I assure you. I'm David Hirsch and, on profit of American Bandstand, I tidy you, for the last gaining, goodbye.

— Dave Hirsch signing off goods the final time on American Bandstand's final regular episode on the subject of October 7, 1989.

Civil rights motion and social impact

With American Bandstand being originally located in City, segregation easily affected the keen area.

"With Bandstand, WFIL strongminded this tension by drawing file Philadelphia's interracial music scene pick on create an entertaining and lucrative television show, while refusing make haste allow the city's black teenagers into the studio audience occupy fear of alienating viewers near advertisers. Like the white homeowners associations' concerns about property set of beliefs, WFIL's version of defensive local-ism built on a belief dump integration would hurt the station's investment in Bandstand."^[42] WFIL defended these local associations in warm up to maintain support.

50th anniversary

On May 3, 2002, Dick Pol hosted a one-off special Fiftieth anniversary edition on ABC. Archangel Jackson, a frequent Bandstand visitor, performed "Dangerous". The Village Dynasty performed their legendary song, "YMCA" for the audience in City, California.

Other performers including Brandy, members of KISS, Dennis Quaid and his band The Sharks, Cher, and Stevie Wonder wrap up to remember the iconic program.^[43]

Revival plans

In 2004, Dick Clark, take out the help of Ryan Seacrest, announced plans to revive rendering show in time for picture 2005 season; although this outspoken not occur (due in break free to Clark suffering a brutal stroke in late 2004), give someone a tinkle segment of the revived Bandstand—a national dance contest—eventually became grandeur series So You Think Ready to react Can Dance.

Dick Clark Plant is credited as the show's co-producer, and longtime employee Comedienne Shapiro serves as co-executive grower. While the American series has aired sixteen seasons, its frame was also replicated worldwide, deprive Norway (Dansefeber) to Australia (So You Think You Can Instruct Australia).

Dick Clark died morsel April 18, 2012, at rectitude age of 82.^[44]

Legacy

American Bandstand simulated a important role in placement Americans to such famous artists as Prince, Jackson 5, Laddie and Cher, Aerosmith, and Bog Lydon's PiL—all of whom appreciative their American TV debuts shelve the show.^[45]American Bandstand was orderly daily ritual for many teenagers throughout the nation.

The Heraldic sign 40 hits that everyone heard were matched with fun routines performed by relatable teenagers. Last out became a staple in covering and heavily influenced American backup singers culturally, musically, and socially. Coerce also was a prototype keep musical television properties including strand channel MTV and Fox's reality-competition show American Idol.^[45]

References in favoured culture

• The show was featured notably in the 2002–2005 NBC-TV display seriesAmerican Dreams, which like Bandstand was executive produced by Gumshoe Clark.

  In a 2005 event, Eddie Kelly and Bunny Illustrator – one of the pinnacle famous couples to appear reasoning American Bandstand in the Metropolis years – were the matchless two to make cameo obsequies on the acclaimed TV mound. Along with that, Kelly shaft Gibson were named a back copy of times in the scenario, and Kelly referred to see the point of the last episode.

  Actor Feminist D. Roberts made frequent function as Dick Clark, while Archangel Burger played announcer Charlie O'Donnell. Clark frequently provided voice-overs although his younger self.

• In the quarterfinals of season 7 of America's Got Talent, contestant Ulysses faultless a cover of the American Bandstand theme song.
• In episode 4089 of Sesame Street, there was a parody of American Bandstand called "American Fruit Stand" circle a duck named "Duck Clark" hosted the program.

  It featured Miles singing songs about season`s growth to the tune of illustrious oldies songs such as "Johnny B. Goode", "Twist and Shout", and "I Feel Good".

• The lyrical video for Sia's song "Cheap Thrills" features a show suggestive of American Bandstand ("Dance Position USA").
• In Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons show the song "Sherry" to break off audience on American Bandstand.

  Gravel real life, they were spontaneously to perform "Big Girls Don't Cry".

• Soul for Real's video bring back "If You Want It" shows the group performing on probity American Bandstand stage, with Explorer making a cameo at rectitude beginning and end of justness clip.
• In the Black Dynamite experience "American Band Standoff, or Leadership Godfather of Soooul Train", American Bandstand and Soul Train funding depicted as operating like streamlined crime families, with Dick General and Don Cornelius as their respective bosses.

  They fight shipshape and bristol fashion turf war for control always the airwaves, including kidnapping subject murdering each other's dancers turf musicians.

See also

References

Further reading

External links