Dick Clark, an iconic figure in American entertainment, was a renowned television and radio personality and producer. Best known for hosting the long-running music program "American Bandstand" from 1956 to 1989, he also helmed various game shows, including "Pyramid," and the annual New Year's Eve special, "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," broadcast live from Times Square. His enduring career significantly impacted American pop culture.
November 30, 1929: Dick Clark's Birth
Richard Wagstaff Clark, better known as Dick Clark, was born on November 30, 1929.
1945: Dick Clark's First Job in Radio
Dick Clark began his career at an AM radio station owned by his uncle and run by his father in 1945.
1949: This Is Show Business Premieres
This Is Show Business, a talent/variety series which served as a model for Dick Clark's World of Talent, premiered in 1949.
1951: College Graduation
Dick Clark graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 with a degree in advertising and a minor in radio.
1952: First Marriage to Barbara Mallery
Dick Clark married Barbara Mallery in 1952. The couple had one son, Richard A. Clark, before divorcing in 1961.
1952: Dick Clark Joins WFIL
Dick Clark moved to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, where he started working as a disc jockey at radio station WFIL in 1952.
July 9, 1956: Dick Clark Becomes Permanent Host of Bandstand
When Bob Horn was let go, Dick Clark became the permanent host of Bandstand on July 9, 1956.
1956: American Bandstand Debut
Dick Clark took over hosting duties for Bob Horn's Bandstand and the show made its national debut in 1956.
1956: This Is Show Business Ends
This Is Show Business, a talent/variety series which served as a model for Dick Clark's World of Talent, ended in 1956.
August 5, 1957: American Bandstand's National Debut
After being picked up by ABC, American Bandstand debuted nationally on August 5, 1957.
February 1958: The Dick Clark Show Premieres
Dick Clark began hosting a 30-minute Saturday night program called The Dick Clark Show (aka The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show) which premiered on February 15, 1958.
1958: The Dick Clark Show
The Dick Clark Show was added to ABC's Saturday night lineup in 1958.
December 20, 1959: Dick Clark's World of Talent Ends
Dick Clark's 30-minute weekly talent/variety series entitled Dick Clark's World of Talent ended on December 20, 1959 after a nearly three-month duration.
1959: Caravan of Stars
Dick Clark began producing and hosting Caravan of Stars, a series of concert tours, in 1959.
1959: This Is Your Life Tribute
Dick Clark received a surprise tribute on the television program "This Is Your Life" in 1959.
September 1960: The Dick Clark Show Ends
The Dick Clark Show, a 30-minute Saturday night program hosted by Dick Clark, aired its last episode on September 10, 1960.
1960: Payola Investigation
The United States Senate investigates the practice of payola in the music industry in 1960, leading to Dick Clark selling his shares in music publishing and recording companies.
1961: Divorce from Barbara Mallery
Dick Clark married Barbara Mallery in 1952. The couple had one son, Richard A. Clark, before divorcing in 1961.
1962: Marriage to Loretta Martin
Dick Clark married Loretta Martin in 1962. They had two children, Duane and Cindy, and later divorced in 1971.
1963: American Bandstand Reduces Airing Schedule
American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark, switched from airing daily to weekly in 1963.
1963: Dick Clark Branches Out to Game Shows
Dick Clark becomes the host of the game show, "The Object Is", in late 1963.
1963: The Dick Clark Radio Show
Dick Clark began hosting a radio program called The Dick Clark Radio Show in 1963, produced by Mars Broadcasting of Stamford.
1964: "Missing Links"
When "The Object Is" was canceled, it was replaced with "Missing Links", and Dick Clark took over as host in 1964.
1964: Dick Clark Purchases KPRO
Dick Clark purchased radio station KPRO in Riverside, California in 1964.
1964: American Bandstand Moves to Los Angeles
Dick Clark moved American Bandstand from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in 1964.
1965: Producer of "Where the Action Is"
Expanding beyond hosting, Dick Clark began producing "Where the Action Is" in 1965, an afternoon television show filmed at various locations each week and featuring the house band Paul Revere and the Raiders.
1967: Appearance in "Batman"
Dick Clark appeared in an episode of the "Batman" television series in 1967.
1967: Dick Clark Purchases KGUD-AM-FM
Dick Clark bought radio stations KGUD-AM-FM in Santa Barbara, California in 1967.
1968: "Killers Three"
Dick Clark wrote, produced, and starred in the 1968 Western drama "Killers Three," which promoted Bakersfield country musicians Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens.
1971: Divorce from Loretta Martin
Dick Clark married Loretta Martin in 1962. They had two children, Duane and Cindy, and later divorced in 1971.
March 25, 1972: Guest Host of American Top 40
Dick Clark filled in for Casey Kasem as host of American Top 40 on March 25, 1972.
1972: New Year's Rockin' Eve Premieres
Dick Clark first produced New Year's Rockin' Eve, a New Year's Eve music special for NBC, in 1972.
March 26, 1973: The Debut of "The $10,000 Pyramid"
Dick Clark became the first host of "The $10,000 Pyramid", which premiered on CBS on March 26, 1973.
1973: American Music Awards
Dick Clark created and produced the first annual American Music Awards in 1973.
1973: Soul Unlimited
Dick Clark launched "Soul Unlimited," a soul music series hosted by Buster Jones, in 1973. The show, a more controversial version of the popular "Soul Train," had a brief run. Despite a feud with "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius, Clark later worked with him on specials showcasing black artists.
1973: Producer of the American Music Awards
Dick Clark started producing the highly successful American Music Awards in 1973.
1973: American Music Awards
Dick Clark created and produced the first annual American Music Awards in 1973.
1973: Guest Appearances on Television
In 1973, Dick Clark made a guest appearance as "Leif Early" in the final episode of the original Perry Mason TV series, "The Case of the Final Fade-Out," which satirized the show business industry. He also appeared as a drag-racing-strip owner in an episode of the procedural drama series Adam-12 that same year.
1974: "The $10,000 Pyramid" Changes Networks
"The $10,000 Pyramid", hosted by Dick Clark, moved to ABC in 1974.
1976: Dick Clark's Autobiography Published
Dick Clark published his autobiography, also titled "Rock, Roll & Remember," in 1976.
1977: Marriage to Kari Wigton
Dick Clark's third marriage was to Kari Wigton, whom he wed in 1977. The marriage lasted until his death. He was also a grandfather to three grandchildren.
1977: Guy Lombardo's Death
Following Guy Lombardo's death in 1977, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve experienced a surge in popularity.
1978: Dick Clark Sells KPRO
After owning it for 14 years, Dick Clark sold radio station KPRO in 1978.
1978: "Dick Clark's Live Wednesday"
Dick Clark hosted the short-lived show "Dick Clark's Live Wednesday" for NBC in 1978.
1979: Ownership of Westchester Premier Theatre
Dick Clark reportedly owned the former Westchester Premier Theatre in Greenburgh, New York, from 1979 to 1980, renaming it the Dick Clark Westchester Theatre.
1980: Ownership of Westchester Premier Theatre
Dick Clark reportedly owned the former Westchester Premier Theatre in Greenburgh, New York, from 1979 to 1980, renaming it the Dick Clark Westchester Theatre.
1981: The Dick Clark National Music Survey
Dick Clark created The Dick Clark National Music Survey for the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1981, a program that counted down the top 30 contemporary hits of the week.
February 1982: Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember Premieres
Dick Clark's longest-running radio show, Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember, premiered on February 14, 1982.
September 1982: Pyramid Moves to CBS
In September 1982, Pyramid, hosted by Dick Clark, moved back to CBS. Clark continued to host the daytime version, winning three Emmy Awards for best game show host.
1982: United Stations Radio Network Launched
Dick Clark launched his own radio syndication group, United Stations Radio Network, with partners Nick Verbitsky and Ed Salamon in 1982.
1983: Mark Elliot Joins as Co-Host
Voiceover talent Mark Elliot began co-hosting Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember with Clark in 1983.
1984: "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes"
Dick Clark, along with co-host Ed McMahon, produced and hosted "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes" for NBC in 1984. The franchise originated from the Clark-hosted NBC "Bloopers" specials of the early 1980s.
July 1985: Live Aid Concert
Dick Clark hosted the ABC primetime portion of the landmark Live Aid concert in July 1985, an all-star event organized by Bob Geldof to combat global hunger.
October 1985: Clark Leaves Mutual Broadcasting System
Dick Clark left the Mutual Broadcasting System in October 1985, and Bill St. James (and later Charlie Tuna) took over his show, The Dick Clark National Music Survey.
1985: Clark Becomes Sole Host
Dick Clark became the sole host of his radio show, Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember, in 1985.
1987: Dick Clark Productions Goes Public
Dick Clark Productions went public in 1987. Clark remained active in television and film production through the 1990s.
1988: American Bandstand Goes Weekly
American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark, switched from a daily to weekly format in 1988.
1988: "Live! Dick Clark Presents"
Dick Clark hosted and produced "Live! Dick Clark Presents" on CBS in 1988, filling a scheduling gap caused by the Writers Guild of America strike.
1988: Pageant Hosting
Dick Clark hosted various pageants on CBS between 1988 and 1993.
1988: The $100,000 Pyramid Ends
Dick Clark's run as host of The $100,000 Pyramid came to an end in 1988.
1988: American Bandstand's Final Season
The final season of Dick Clark's American Bandstand aired in 1988.
1989: American Bandstand Revived
American Bandstand was revived for a short time in 1989, with David Hirsch taking over hosting duties.
1989: End of an Era for American Bandstand
Dick Clark stopped hosting American Bandstand in 1989, and a short revival saw David Hirsch take over hosting duties.
1990: The Challengers Premieres
Dick Clark hosted the syndicated game show The Challengers during its only season, 1990-1991.
1990: Rolling Stone Interview
Dick Clark is interviewed by Henry Schipper for Rolling Stone magazine in 1990.
1990: Dick Clark Reflects on His Career
Dick Clark reflects on his contributions to the music industry and his career in 1990.
1991: Guest Appearance on Pyramid
Dick Clark appeared as a guest on the John Davidson version of Pyramid in 1991, sending a pre-recorded message wishing Davidson well.
1993: Host of Scattergories
Dick Clark hosted the game show Scattergories on NBC in 1993.
1993: Pageant Hosting
Dick Clark hosted various pageants on CBS between 1988 and 1993.
1994: Unistar Sold
Unistar, formed from the merger of United Stations Radio Network and Transtar Network, was sold to Westwood One Radio in 1994.
1995: Guest Appearance on "The Jon Stewart Show"
Dick Clark briefly served as an announcer on "The Jon Stewart Show" in 1995.
1995: Countdown America Ends
Dick Clark's radio show "Countdown America" on USRN continued until 1995.
1995: Reruns of Rock, Roll & Remember Begin
Reruns from the 1995-2004 era of Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember continued to air in syndication after Clark's stroke in 2004.
1997: Host of It Takes Two
Dick Clark hosted The Family Channel's version of the game show It Takes Two in 1997.
November 1999: Executive Producer of Greed
Dick Clark, along with Bob Boden, became executive producer of the Fox game show Greed, hosted by Chuck Woolery, in November 1999.
February 2000: Winning Lines Ends
Dick Clark's run as host of the game show Winning Lines on CBS ended in February 2000.
July 2000: Greed Ends
The Fox game show Greed, which Dick Clark executive produced, ended in July 2000.
November 2000: Challenge of the Child Geniuses
Dick Clark concluded his game show hosting career with Challenge of the Child Geniuses, a series of two two-hour specials broadcast on Fox in May and November 2000.
2000: "Challenge of the Child Geniuses"
Dick Clark created and hosted two Fox television specials titled "Challenge of the Child Geniuses" in 2000, marking his last game show hosting gig.
2000: ABC 2000 Today Correspondent
Dick Clark served as a special correspondent for ABC News's ABC 2000 Today broadcast, covering the arrival of 2000.
2001: Co-host of "The Other Half"
Dick Clark joined Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce, and Dorian Gregory as a co-host on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Other Half" in 2001, intended to be a male counterpart to "The View".
2002: 50th Anniversary of American Bandstand
A 50th anniversary special for American Bandstand aired in 2002, and featured many of the bands Dick Clark helped introduce.
2002: Celebrity Guest on Pyramid
Dick Clark appeared as a celebrity guest for three days on the Donny Osmond version of Pyramid in 2002.
2002: Guest Appearance on "Dharma & Greg"
Dick Clark made a cameo appearance as himself in a 2002 episode of "Dharma & Greg" titled "Mission: Implausible," playing Greg in disguise during a fantasy sequence.
2002: Producer of "American Dreams"
Dick Clark produced the television series "American Dreams," which aired from 2002 to 2005, about a Philadelphia family in the early 1960s whose daughter appears regularly on "American Bandstand".
2002: Appearance in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"
Dick Clark was featured in interview segments for the 2002 film "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," which was based on Chuck Barris's "unauthorized autobiography." Barris was a standards-and-practices executive at ABC during "American Bandstand's" run on the network.
2003: Co-host of "The Other Half"
Dick Clark joined Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce, and Dorian Gregory as a co-host on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Other Half" in 2001, intended to be a male counterpart to "The View".
April 2004: Disclosure of Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
Dick Clark publicly revealed his type 2 diabetes diagnosis during an interview on "Larry King Live" in April 2004. His death certificate later indicated coronary artery disease as a contributing factor to his passing.
December 6, 2004: Hospitalization and Stroke
Dick Clark was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on December 6, 2004, after experiencing a minor stroke. While initially expected to recover without significant complications, it was later determined that he would be unable to host his traditional New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast, with Regis Philbin stepping in. Clark returned to the show the following year, but the stroke's effect on his speech, known as dysarthria, left him with impaired articulation for the remainder of his life.
December 2004: Clark Suffers Stroke
Dick Clark suffered a stroke in December 2004, halting the production of his radio show Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember.
December 2004: Clark Suffers Stroke
Dick Clark suffered a stroke in December 2004.
2004: Clark Suffers Stroke
Dick Clark suffered a stroke in 2004, preventing him from appearing on the 2004-2005 edition of New Year's Rockin' Eve.
2005: Producer of "American Dreams"
Dick Clark produced the television series "American Dreams," which aired from 2002 to 2005, about a Philadelphia family in the early 1960s whose daughter appears regularly on "American Bandstand".
2005: Clark Returns to Rockin' Eve
Following his stroke, Dick Clark returned to make brief appearances on the 2005-2006 edition of New Year's Rockin' Eve, with Ryan Seacrest taking on the majority of hosting duties.
April 2006: Opening of "Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater" and "Dick Clark's American Bandstand Music Complex"
"Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater" debuted in Branson in April 2006. Nine months later, "Dick Clark's American Bandstand Music Complex," a new theater and restaurant, opened near Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
2010: Daytime Emmy Awards
Dick Clark and American Bandstand were honored at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2010.
April 18, 2012: Dick Clark's Passing
American radio and television personality and producer, Dick Clark, passed away on April 18, 2012.
2020: United Stations Radio Network Still Operates
United Stations Radio Networks remains in operation as of 2020.
2020: Rock, Roll & Remember Reruns End
United Stations Radio Networks withdrew reruns of Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember from syndication in 2020.