Dick Clark
For over three decades, he was America's perpetual teenager, introducing rock 'n' roll to living rooms and hosting the nation's New Year's Eve party.
1929–2012 (age 83)·American radio and television personality·Birthday: November 30·The Silent Generation
Biography
Dick Clark understood the pulse of American youth culture like few others. Taking the helm of 'American Bandstand' in 1956, he transformed a local Philadelphia dance show into a national institution, his clean-cut demeanor making rock music palatable to wary parents and his platform making stars out of everyone from Chuck Berry to Madonna. His business acumen built an empire, but his greatest trick was seeming forever young, earning the nickname 'America's Oldest Teenager.' When he ushered in 1972 with the first 'New Year's Rockin' Eve,' he claimed another cultural touchstone, becoming the reassuring voice of celebration and continuity for millions, a role he maintained even after a stroke affected his speech.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Dick was born in 1929, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1929
#1 Movie
The Broadway Melody
Best Picture
The Broadway Melody
Dick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1929Born
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1934Started school
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1942Became a teenager
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1945Could drive
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1947Could vote
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1950Turned 21
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1959Turned 30
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1969Turned 40
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1979Turned 50
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1989Turned 60
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 70
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 80
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Died at 83
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
Key Achievements
- Hosted 'American Bandstand' for 33 years, shaping musical tastes and launching countless careers.
- Created and hosted 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve,' the definitive New Year's Eve broadcast since 1972.
- Founded Dick Clark Productions, a major force in television production and awards shows like the American Music Awards.
- Successfully hosted multiple versions of the game show 'Pyramid,' winning several Daytime Emmys.
- Was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 in the Non-Performer category.
Did You Know?
He was originally hired as a summer replacement host on 'Bandstand' before becoming the permanent host.
He once owned the famous Hollywood restaurant and nightclub, the Coconut Grove.
He had a brief cameo singing 'Bandstand Boogie' at the start of many 'American Bandstand' episodes.
After his 2004 stroke, he returned to host New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest as his co-host.
“Music is the soundtrack of your life.”
