The world’s oldest teen- ager AMERICAN BANDSTAND legend DICK CLARK is dead at 82 from a massive heart attack.
The TV icon who first foisted rock music on TV audiences in the form of the long running "American Bandstand" had been in St John’s hospital in Los Angeles after undergoing an outpatient procedure.
Dick suffered a "massive" heart attack following the surgery. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
As The ENQUIRER first reported Clark's had been in ill health following a massive stroke in 2004 — forcing him to retire from his long running gig at "Dick Clark’s New Years' Rockin' Eve," which preemed in 1972.
The original "American Bandstand" was one of network TV's longest-running series as part of ABC's daytime lineup from 1957 to 1987.
It first aired locally in Philadelphia with Dick replacing the original host in 1956.
Clark's clean-cut image survived the BIG music industry payola scandal.
In 1960, during a congressional investigation of bribery in the record and radio industry, Clark testified.
Clark was cleared of any suspicion but ABC demanded he sell any record-company holdings to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Their demand cost him $8 million, Clark estimated. His holdings included ownership of Swan Records, which later released the first U.S. version of The Beatles' fist big hit "She Loves You."
Building Bandstand into an empire as the founder of Dick Clark Productions, Dick supplied movies, game and music shows, beauty contests and more to TV.
Among his many credits: "The $25,000 Pyramid," "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" and the American Music Awards.
During the 1980s, Dick was producing shows on all three networks and was listed among the Forbes 400 of wealthiest Americans.
"I played records, the kids danced, and America watched," Dick once said describing "America Bandstand’s enduring appeal.
Anyone who was anybody in the music industry appeared on the shoe EXCEPT for ELVIS PRESLEY. Dick had to conduct a phone interview with The King when he was in the Army while stationed in Germany.
Dick's easy going, low key charm was also part of his appeal and he became not only an institution but an icon of the great American success story.
Adios, amigo.
