American Bandstand

American TV program featuring musical performances and dancing (aired 1952–2002)

American Bandstand

Logo used from 1969 to 1987

Also known as| Bandstand (1952–1957)
Presented by|

* Bob Horn
* Lee Stewart
* Tony Mammarella
* Dick Clark
* David Hirsch

Narrated by| Charlie O'Donnell
Country of origin| United States
No. of seasons|

* 37
* (5–WFIL)
* (30–ABC)
* (1–Syndication)
* (1–USA Network)

No. of episodes| 3,002
Production
Running time|

* 90 minutes
* 60 minutes (originally two hours and thirty minutes on WFIL-TV/Philadelphia only)

Production companies|

* Dick Clark Productions (1964–1989, 1992, 2002)
* WFIL-TV (1952–1964)

Original release
Network|

* WFIL-TV (1952–1957)
* ABC (1957–1987, 1992, 2002)
* Syndicated (1987–1988)
* USA Network (1989)

Release| October 7, 1952 (1952-10-07) –
May 3, 2002 (2002-05-03)

American Bandstand (AB) is an American music-performance and dance television program that aired regularly in various versions from 1952 to 1989,[1] and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as the program's producer. It featured teenagers dancing to Top 40 music introduced by Clark.

Over the decades, a wide range of musical acts, from Jerry Lee Lewis to Run–D.M.C., appeared in person to lip-sync one of their latest singles. Artists would sing naturally to the studio audience over a background of their own disc, while viewers at home would hear only the original recording.[2] Freddy Cannon holds the record for most appearances, at 110.

The show's popularity helped Clark become a media mogul and inspired similar long-running music programs, such as Soul Train and British series Top of the Pops. Clark eventually assumed ownership of the program through his Dick Clark Productions company.

## Background[edit]

Dick Clark talks to Myrna Horowitz, one of the original dancers when the program began in 1952, on the show's 18th anniversary in 1970.

American Bandstand premiered locally in late March 1952 as Bandstand on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV Channel 6 (now WPVI-TV), as a replacement for a weekday movie that had shown predominantly British films. Hosted by Bob Horn as a television adjunct to his radio show of the same name on WFIL radio, Bandstand featured short musical films produced by Snader Telescriptions and Official Films, with occasional studio guests. This incarnation was an early version of the music video shows that became popular in the 1980s, featuring films that were the ancestors of music videos.

Horn, however, was disenchanted with the program, and wanted to change the show to a dance program with teenagers dancing along on camera as records played, based on an idea that came from a radio show on WPEN, The 950 Club, hosted by Joe Grady and Ed Hurst. This more-familiar version of 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^ , and was hosted by Horn, with Lee Stewart as co-host until 1955. Stewart was the owner of a TV/Radio business in Philadelphia and even though he was an older gentleman, his advertising account was a large one for WFIL-TV, so he was put on the program to appease the account. As WFIL grew financially and the account became less important, Stewart wasn't needed and was eventually dropped from the program. Tony Mammarella was the original producer with Ed Yates as director. The short Snader and Official music films continued in the short term to fill gaps when dancers were changed during the show—a necessity, because the studio could not fit more than 200 teenagers.

On July 9, 1956, Horn was fired after a drunk-driving arrest, as WFIL and dual owner Walter Annenberg's The Philadelphia Inquirer were then running a series on drunken driving. He was also reportedly involved in a prostitution ring and brought up on morals charges.[3] Horn was temporarily replaced by producer Tony Mammarella before the job went to Dick Clark permanently.

In late spring of 1957, the ABC television network asked their O&O's and affiliates for programming suggestions to fill their 3:30 p.m. (ET) time slot (WFIL had been pre-empting the ABC programming with Bandstand). Clark decided to pitch the show to ABC president Thomas W. Moore, and after some negotiations the show was picked up nationally, becoming American Bandstand on August 5, 1957. This first national broadcast of American Bandstand was filmed in the Starlight Ballroom in Wildwood, NJ. One show from this first season (December 18, 1957, identified as the "Second National Telecast") is preserved in the archives of Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications.

One market not telecasting Bandstand was Baltimore, Maryland, as local affiliate WAAM (now WJZ-TV) elected to produce a local dance show in the same afternoon time slot. Local radio disc jockey Buddy Deane was chosen as the host of The Buddy Deane Show on Channel 13, and began a daily two hour broadcast on September 9, 1957. This development created a sometimes heated rivalry between Dick Clark and Buddy Deane, when performers who appeared first on Deane's program were refused booking on American Bandstand. Acts debuting on Bandstand appeared on Deane's program, but were asked to not mention their previous appearance with Clark while on the Baltimore show. The Buddy Deane Show aired on WJZ-TV until January 4, 1964.

"Studio 'B'" measured 80 by 80 by 24 feet (24.4 m × 24.4 m × 7.3 m), but appeared smaller due to the number of props, television cameras, and risers that were used for the show. It was briefly shot in color in 1958 when WFIL-TV began experimenting with the new technology. Due to the size of the studio, the need to have as much dance space as possible, and the size of the cumbersome color camera compared to the black-and-white models, it was only possible to have one RCA TK-41 where three RCA TK-10s[4] had been used before. WFIL reverted to the TK-10s two weeks later when ABC refused to carry the color signal and management realized that the show lost perspective without the extra cameras.

## Program features[edit]

### Rate-a-Record[edit]

Clark regularly asked teenagers their opinions of the songs being played, through the "Rate-a-Record" segment. During the segment, two audience members each ranked two records on a scale of 35 to 98, after which their two opinions were averaged by Clark, who then asked the chosen members to justify their scores. The segment gave rise to the catchphrase "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it."[5] In one humorous segment broadcast for years on retrospective shows, comedians Cheech and Chong appeared as the record raters.

Featured artists typically performed their current hits by lip-syncing to the released version of the song.

### Hosts[edit]

Dick Clark in a promotional image for American Bandstand in 1961 Charlie O'Donnell, the show's announcer

The only singer to ever co-host the show with Dick Clark was Donna Summer, who joined him to present a special episode dedicated to the release of the Casablanca film Thank God It's Friday on May 27, 1978. From the late 1950s and most of the 1960s, Clark's on-camera sidekick was announcer Charlie O'Donnell, who later went on to announce Wheel of Fortune and other programs hosted or produced by Clark, such as The $100,000 Pyramid. There were occasional shows that were not hosted by Clark, in which case a substitute host (among them Rick Azar) was brought in.[6]

### Theme music[edit]

Bandstand originally used "High Society" by Artie Shaw as its theme song, but by the time the show went national, it had been replaced by various arrangements of Charles Albertine's "Bandstand Boogie", including Les Elgart's big-band recording remembered by viewers of the daily version. From 1969 to 1974, "Bandstand Theme", a synthesized rock instrumental co-written by Mike Curb, opened each show. From 1974 to 1977, there was a newer, orchestral disco version of "Bandstand Boogie", arranged and performed by Joe Porter, played during the opening and closing credits. Elgart's version was released as a single in March 1954 (Columbia 40180) as well as Curb's theme (by "Mike Curb & The Waterfall") in October 1969 (Forward 124).

From 1977 to September 6, 1986, the show opened and closed with Barry Manilow's rendition of "Bandstand Boogie",[7] which he originally recorded for his 1975 album Tryin' to Get the Feeling. This version introduced lyrics written by Manilow and Bruce Sussman, referencing elements of the series. The previous theme was retained as bumper music. From September 13, 1986, to September 5, 1987, Manilow's version was replaced at the close of the show by a new closing theme arranged by David Russo, who also performed an updated instrumental arrangement of "Bandstand Boogie" when Bandstand went into syndication.

From 1974 to September 6, 1986, Bandstand featured another instrumental at its mid-show break: Billy Preston's synth hit "Space Race".

## Changes to Bandstand[edit]

### Early changes[edit]

A January 1962 ticket for a broadcast of the show from Philadelphia

When ABC picked up the game show Do You Trust Your Wife? from CBS in November 1957, they renamed the program as Who Do You Trust? and scheduled the program at 3:30 pm ET—almost in the middle of Bandstand. Instead of shortening or moving Bandstand, ABC opted to just begin Bandstand at 3 pm, cut away to Who Do You Trust? at 3:30 pm, then rejoin Bandstand at 4 pm. In Philadelphia, however, WFIL opted to tape-delay the game show for later broadcast in another time slot, and to continue on with Bandstand, though only for the local audience.

A half-hour evening version of American Bandstand aired on Monday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET), beginning on October 7, 1957. It preceded The Guy Mitchell Show. Both were ratings disasters. Dick Clark later stated that he knew the prime-time edition would fail because its core audience – teenagers and housewives – was occupied with other interests in the evenings. The Monday-night version aired its last program in December 1957, but ABC gave Clark a Saturday-night time slot for The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show, which originated from the Little Theatre in Manhattan, beginning on February 15, 1958. The Saturday show would run until 1960.

The program was broadcast live, weekday afternoons and, by 1959, the show had a national audience of 20 million.[8] In the fall of 1961, ABC truncated American Bandstand's airtime from 90 to 60 minutes (4:00–5:00 pm ET), then even further as a daily half-hour (4:00–4:30 pm ET) program in September 1962; beginning in early 1963, all five shows for the upcoming week were videotaped the preceding Saturday. The use of videotape allowed Clark to produce and host a series of concert tours around the success of American Bandstand and to pursue other broadcast interests.[8] On September 7, 1963, the program was moved from its weekday slot and began airing weekly every Saturday afternoon, restored to an hour, until 1989.

### Move from Philadelphia to Los Angeles[edit]

American Bandstand in 1973

When WFIL-TV moved to a new facility on City Line Avenue (one that did not have a studio that could accommodate the show), ABC moved production of Bandstand to the ABC Television Center (stage 5) in Los Angeles (now known as The Prospect Studios) on February 8, 1964, which coincidentally was the day before the Beatles first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Prior to the move, Bandstand had sourced many of its up-and-coming acts from Philadelphia's Cameo-Parkway Records. The combined impact of Bandstand's move to California and the Beatles' arrival devastated Cameo-Parkway and inflicted permanent damage to the artists signed to the label.[9]

The program was permanently shot in color starting on September 9, 1967. The typical production schedule consisted of videotaping three shows on a Saturday and three shows on a Sunday, every six weeks. The shows were usually produced in either Stage 54 or Stage 55 at ABC Television Center.

In September 1964, Bandstand began using a new logo based on the ABC circle logo, reading "ab" in the same typeface followed by a number representing the year the show aired. This started with "'65", then "'66", "'67", "'68", and "'69" when each year arrived. On September 13, 1969, the Bandstand set was given a complete overhaul and Les Elgart's big band version of "Bandstand Boogie" was replaced by the Mike Curb theme. The "ab" logo was replaced with the iconic stylized "AB" logo (shown at the top of this page) used for the remainder of the show's run. This set and theme music were used until September 1974, with the arrival of a brand new set and the second, updated version of "Bandstand Boogie".

For a brief time in 1973, Bandstand alternated its time slot with Soul Unlimited,[10] a show featuring soul music that was hosted by Buster Jones. Soul Unlimited was not well-received among its target audience of African-Americans, ostensibly due to its being created by a white man (Clark), and because of its alleged usage of deliberately racial overtones despite this fact. Don Cornelius, the creator and host of Soul Train, along with Jesse Jackson, entered into a dispute with Clark over this upstart program, and it was canceled within a few weeks. Set pieces from Soul Unlimited were utilized by Bandstand for its 1974–1978 set design. As previously mentioned, during the 1978 season of Bandstand, Donna Summer became the only music artist in Bandstand's history to co-host the program.

### Bandstand "regulars" from the Philadelphia years[edit]

Many local Philadelphia teenagers became household names by appearing and dancing on American Bandstand on a regular basis from the 1950s to the early 1960s:

* Mike Balera†
* Bobby Baritz†
* Mary Beltrante
* Marlyn Brown
* Joan Buck†
* Ron Caldora†
* Thomas "Thom" Cardwell [11]
* Justine Carelli†[12]
* Ritchie Cartledge†
* Bob Clayton†
* Bill Cook†
* Mary Ann Colella†
* Eddie Connor
* Mary Ann Cuff†
* Lou DeSero
* Rosemary Dicristo
* Micki Duffy†
* Bob Durkin†
* Joe Fusco†[13]
* Nick Gaeta†
* Bunny Gibson
* Frani Giordano
* Walter Grezlack†
* Janet Hamil†
* Bonnie Harden†
* Charlie Hibb†
* Dottie Horner†
* Myrna Horowitz†
* Geri Iannetti
* Lorraine Ianetti†
* Diane Iaquinto
* Joe Jacovini†
* Carmen Jimenez
* Ivette Jimenez
* Bob Kelly†
* Ed Kelly
* Norman Kerr†
* Paula Kopicko†
* George Kralle†
* Barbara Levick
* Frankie Levins†
* Frank Lobis†
* Carol McColley†
* Barbara Marcen
* Pat Moliterri†
* Ann Monahan†
* Joann Montecarlo†
* Monte Montes†
* Bill Mulivihill†
* Debra Murphy
* M.B. Murphy
* Jimmy Peatross†
* Harvey Robbins†
* Kenny Rossi
* Carole Scaldeferri†
* Terry Schreffler†
* Joyce Shafer
* Ray Smith
* Frank Spagnuola
* Arlene Sullivan
* Joe Sullivan†
* Paul Thomas†
* Frank Vacca
* Ronnie Verbit
* Joe Wissert
* Charlie Zamal

†Deceased

### Move from ABC to syndication and the USA Network[edit]

As Bandstand moved towards the 1980s, the ratings began to decline. Many factors were involved in this, particularly the launch and rise of MTV and other music programs on television, and along with that, the number of ABC affiliates opting to pre-empt or delay the program. The increase in competition hurt Bandstand and the variety of options for music on TV decreased its relevance. The other reason was that American Bandstand was pre-empted on many occasions by televised college football games (which expanded greatly in number in the wake of a court-ordered deregulation in 1984) which were becoming huge ratings successes, as well as occasional special presentations (i.e. unsold game show pilots). Making matters worse, on September 13, 1986, ABC reduced Bandstand from a full hour to 30 minutes;[14] at Clark's request, the 2,751st and final ABC installment[15] (with Laura Branigan[16] performing "Shattered Glass"[17][18]) aired on September 5, 1987.

> Hey, our thanks to Laura Branigan for joining us here on American Bandstand today. I hope you've had a good half-hour. Come and join us two weeks from today for an hour version of American Bandstand on Saturday, September 19. We'll see you then. In the meantime, have a wonderful week or two. We'll see you the next time on American Bandstand. For now, Dick Clark on ABC, so long.

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

Two weeks later, Bandstand moved to first-run syndication.[19][20][21] Dubbed as The New American Bandstand and distributed by LBS Communications, the series' tapings were moved from the ABC Television Center to the Hollywood studios of Los Angeles's PBS member station KCET,[22] with a new set similar to that of Soul Train. Clark continued as host of the series, which was restored to its former hour length,[23] and aired on stations including KYW-TV in Philadelphia; WWOR-TV in New York City[24] (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 in Milwaukee;[25] and WCIX in Miami.[26]

The first syndicated episode aired on the weekend of September 19, 1987[27] but this run was short-lived; The New American Bandstand ran until the weekend of June 4, 1988.

After a ten-month hiatus,[28] Bandstand moved to cable on USA Network[29][30] on April 8, 1989,[31] with comedian David Hirsch[32][33][34][35][36] taking over hosting duties. In another format shift, it was shot outdoors at Universal Studios Hollywood.[37] Clark remained as executive producer. This version was canceled after 26 weeks, and its final show (with The Cover Girls performing "My Heart Skips a Beat" and "We Can't Go Wrong") aired on October 7, 1989,[38] thus ending the show's 37-year run.[39][40]

> Well, it's our last show here on Bandstand and I really want to thank the viewers who have kept American Bandstand on the air all these years. Dick Clark, wherever you are, we miss you. I tried my best to fill your shoes and I hope I have lived up to what you were expecting of me. American Bandstand will be back someday, I assure you. I'm David Hirsch and, on behalf of American Bandstand, I bid you, for the last time, goodbye.

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

## Civil rights movement and social impact[edit]

With American Bandstand being originally located in Philadelphia, segregation easily affected the concentrated area. "With Bandstand, WFIL resolved this tension by drawing on Philadelphia's interracial music scene to create an entertaining and profitable television show, while refusing to allow the city's black teenagers into the studio audience for fear of alienating viewers and advertisers. Like the white homeowners associations' concerns about property values, WFIL's version of defensive localism built on a belief that integration would hurt the station's investment in Bandstand."[41] WFIL defended these local associations in order to maintain support.

Once the program went national upon its move to Los Angeles, new host Dick Clark decided that integration was the most responsible move. History goes back and forth with the timing and motives of the integration, but nevertheless, American Bandstand socially impacted teenagers' opinions regarding race.

### 50th anniversary[edit]

American Bandstand's 50th anniversary reunion in 2002

On May 3, 2002, Dick Clark hosted a one-off special 50th anniversary edition on ABC. Michael Jackson, a frequent Bandstand guest, performed "Dangerous". The Village People performed their legendary song, "YMCA" for the audience in Pasadena, California. Other performers including Brandy, members of KISS, Dennis Quaid and his band The Sharks, Cher, and Stevie Wonder performed to remember the iconic program.[42]

## Revival plans[edit]

In 2004, Dick Clark, with the help of Ryan Seacrest, announced plans to revive the show in time for the 2005 season; although this did not occur (due in part to Clark suffering a severe stroke in late 2004), one segment of the revived Bandstand—a national dance contest—eventually became the series So You Think You Can Dance. Dick Clark Productions is credited as the show's co-producer, and longtime employee Allen Shapiro serves as co-executive producer. While the American series has aired sixteen seasons, its format was also replicated worldwide, from Norway (Dansefeber) to Australia (So You Think You Can Dance Australia).

Dick Clark died on April 18, 2012, at the age of 82.

## Legacy[edit]

American Bandstand

Pennsylvania Historical Marker

Location of American Bandstand's filming at 4548 Market St. in Philadelphia

Location| 4548 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates| 39°57′31″N 75°12′45″W﻿ / ﻿39.9585°N 75.21259°W﻿ / 39.9585; -75.21259
PHMC dedicated| August 5, 1997

American Bandstand played a crucial role in introducing Americans to such famous artists as Prince, Jackson 5, Sonny and Cher, Aerosmith, and John Lydon's PiL—all of whom made their American TV debuts on the show.[43] American Bandstand was a daily ritual for many teenagers throughout the nation. The Top 40 hits that everyone heard were matched with fun routines performed by relatable teenagers. It became a staple in homes and heavily influenced American society culturally, musically, and socially. It also was a prototype for musical television properties including cable channel MTV and Fox's reality-competition show American Idol.[43]

## References in popular culture[edit]

* In the 1958 song "Queen of the Hop", Bobby Darin mentions the show, while also indicating its daily TV schedule during the early years of the show.
* In his song "Sweet Little Sixteen" recorded 1957, Chuck Berry name-checks the show with the lyric "Cause they'll be rocking on Bandstand in Philadelphia, PA".
* Travis Bickle watches American Bandstand while holding his Model 29 in Taxi Driver, while Jackson Browne's "Late for the Sky" plays.
* The show was featured prominently in the 2002–2005 NBC-TV drama series American Dreams, which like Bandstand was executive produced by Dick Clark. In a 2005 episode, Eddie Kelly and Bunny Gibson – one of the most famous couples to appear on American Bandstand in the Philadelphia years – were the only two to make cameo appearances on the acclaimed TV series. Along with that, Kelly and Gibson were named a number of times in the script, and Kelly referred to in the last episode. Actor Paul D. Roberts made frequent appearances as Dick Clark, while Michael Burger played announcer Charlie O'Donnell. Clark frequently provided voice-overs as his younger self.
* In the film Escape from New York, the theme song is heard while in the cab and near the end when Snake Plissken takes out the President's address and replaces it with the tape that had the American Bandstand theme.
* In the animated TV series King of the Hill while Bobby is cleaning the gutters on the roof he is attacked by a bird. Hank hears him stomping around and shouts "It's a roof, not American Bandstand!"
* The live national program National Bandstand in the film version of Grease was an ode to the American Bandstand; director Randal Kleiser lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia during the real Bandstand's early years and adapted the original source material (which used a radio show instead) to match his own upbringing.
* Pam Tillis' video for her 1994 cover of "When You Walk in the Room" depicted a mid-1960s performance on American Bandstand, and featured a voiceover by Dick Clark.
* In the quarterfinals of season 7 of America's Got Talent, contestant Ulysses performed 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" where a duck named "Duck Clark" hosted the program. It featured Miles singing songs about fruits to the tune of famous oldies songs such as "Johnny B. Goode", "Twist and Shout", and "I Feel Good".
* The lyric video for Sia's song "Cheap Thrills" features a show reminiscent of American Bandstand ("Dance Stage USA").
* In the film Peggy Sue Got Married, Peggy Sue time-travels from 1985 back to 1960 and watches American Bandstand and remarks that Dick Clark never ages.
* On Archie Bell and the Drells's song "I Could Danced All Night" from their 1975 album Dance Your Troubles Away, they reference both Bandstand and Soul Train.
* In Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons perform the song "Sherry" to an audience on American Bandstand. In real life, they were asked to perform "Big Girls Don't Cry".
* Soul for Real's video for "If You Want It" shows the group performing on the American Bandstand stage, with Clark making a cameo at the beginning and end of the clip.
* The September 17, 1983 episode of the Chicago-based horror movie television program Son of Svengoolie opened with a song parody of The Beatles' "Good Morning Good Morning", with lyrics referencing the show's move to a 10 AM Saturday time slot. The song was sung by show star Rich Koz. The particular verse that references American Bandstand is "People tuning in at 10 o'clock/Find you on their sets and it's a shock/Later on they'll leave you in the dark/When they change the channel to Dick Clark."[44]

## See also[edit]

* Philadelphia portal

* List of acts who appeared on American Bandstand
* Bandstand, Australian version loosely based on the American version
* Top of the Pops, a similar British music program
* The Buddy Deane Show
* Soul Train
* The Midnight Special
* The Clay Cole Show
* Electric Circus
* CD USA

## References[edit]

1. ^ Fontenot, Robert. "American Bandstand Timeline". About.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
2. ^ Arena, Neil (2022). Tonite, Tonite - the story of the original Mello-Kings. London: Arena & Stephens. pp. 88–89. ISBN 9781739083199.
3. ^ "Bob Horn". www.history-of-rock.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
4. ^ "Chuck Pharis Web Page : RCA TK-10A". www.pharis-video.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: grandmastafunk92 (March 20, 2009). "Rate a Record". Retrieved March 27, 2018 - via YouTube.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
6. ^ Pergament, Alan (April 19, 2012). Top of newscast salutes to Clark deserved Archived May 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
7. ^ Bobbin, Jay (August 20, 2000). "- A friend and I were recently..." Chicago Tribune.
8. ^ a b Oldenburg, Ann. "TV legend Dick Clark dies at age 82", USA Today, April 18, 2012
9. ^ Barnes, Ken (February 9, 2021). "Did the Beatles kill America's radio stars?". Radio Insight. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
10. ^ "TWIN CITIES ROCK 'N' ROLL TV SHOWS". Twin Cities Music Highlights.
11. ^ "Thom Cardwell: From 'Bandstand' beginnings to film-festival head". July 2015.
12. ^ Wisenberg Brin, Dinah (August 5, 1997). "Forty years after 'Bandstand' debut, Clark and dancers celebrate". AP News.
13. ^ "ORIGINAL DANCERS WILL GRANDSTAND AT 'BANDSTAND' REUNION". Deseret News. August 27, 1988.
14. ^ King, Susan (May 10, 1992). "Clark and 'Bandstand' Break the Top 40". Los Angeles Times.
15. ^ AMERICAN BANDSTAND (1987 Closing Credits - ABC Finale) on YouTube
16. ^ "American Bandstand, Season 30, Episode 38: Laura Brannigan (Final ABC show)". TV.com. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
17. ^ Laura Branigan - Shattered Glass & Interview - AB (1987) on YouTube
18. ^ Laura Branigan – Shattered Glass on YouTube
19. ^ Jackson, John (June 3, 1999). American Bandstand: Dick Clark and the Making of a Rock 'n' Roll Empire. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-028490-9.
20. ^ AMERICAN BANDSTAND (Show Promo) - 1987 on YouTube
21. ^ Bates, James (May 5, 1987). "Dick Clark's On a Roll : He Tunes In to TV Trends". Los Angeles Times.
22. ^ Bower, Cathy (April 18, 2014). "American Bandstand and KCET?". KCET.
23. ^ Fleck, Carole (September 24, 1987). "Dick Clark celebrates American Bandstand's 35th". UPI.
24. ^ "RETRO: Fairbanks, Alaska (October 24, 1987)". Radio Discussions. September 12, 2007.
25. ^ "Retro: Northern Wisconsin, Sat. July 9th, 1988". Radio Discussions. February 2, 2018.
26. ^ "Retro Request: Sat 10/31 & 11/7 and Sun 11/1, 1987". Radio Discussions. March 15, 2010.
27. ^ "AB now in syndication: Jody Watley, Dan Hill, David Spade". TV.com. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
28. ^ "AB moves to USA network". TV.com. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
29. ^ "Clark ends long-playing spin on bandstand". Desert Sun. March 22, 1989.
30. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing. p. 45\. ISBN 9780307483201.
31. ^ Brooks, Marsh, Tim, Earle F. (March 22, 1989). "Clark steps down from "Bandstand'". Tulsa World.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
32. ^ Seymour, Gene (April 8, 1989). "'BANDSTAND' HAS A NEW YOUNG LEADER". Orlando Sentinel.
33. ^ "On 'Bandstand,' Dick Clark Says Goodbye". The New York Times. April 8, 1989.
34. ^ "Dick Clark quits American Bandstand". UPI. March 31, 1989.
35. ^ Hochman, Steve (March 25, 1989). "A Last Dance With Dick Clark". Los Angeles Times.
36. ^ Wilker, Deborah (July 7, 1989). "AGELESS CLARK STILL STANDS FOR THE 'AMERICAN' BAND". Sun-Sentinel.
37. ^ Borcover, Alfred (June 30, 1989). "BEARS WATCHING". Chicago Tribune.
38. ^ Medearis, John (November 28, 1989). "Hits Prove Hard to Find at Dick Clark Productions : Entertainment: Performance has been mediocre since the company went public in 1987. Attempts continue to launch a successful game show or sitcom". Los Angeles Times.
39. ^ "TV Series Finale – American Bandstand". TV Series Finale. March 17, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
40. ^ "Final American Bandstand: The Cover Girls". TV.com. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
41. ^ Delmont, Matthew F. (September 30, 2014). "Bandstand's Backyard". http://nicestkids.com/nehvectors/nicest-kids/bandstands-backyard. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
42. ^ "Remembering American Bandstand's 50th [Photos]". wcbsfm.cbslocal.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
43. ^ a b "American Bandstand and its Legacy". scripts.cac.psu.edu. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
44. ^ Son of Svengoolie - 'Good Morning, Sven' (Opening,Show #218) (verse occurs at the 1:35 mark)

## Further reading[edit]

* Matthew F. Delmont, The Nicest Kids in Town: American Bandstand, Rock'n'Roll, and the Struggle for Civil Rights in 1950s Philadelphia. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2012.
* Murray Forman, One Night on TV is Worth Weeks at the Paramount: Popular Music on Early Television. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2012.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Bandstand.

* American Bandstand at IMDb
* The Museum of Broadcast Communications – American Bandstand Archived August 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

American Bandstand

Hosts|

* Bob Horn (1952–1956)
* Tony Mammarella (1956)
* Dick Clark (1956–1989)
* Donna Summer (May 27, 1978 co-host)
* David Hirsch (1989)
* Rick Azar (substitute host)
* Joe Grady (The 950 Club)
* Buster Jones (Soul Unlimited)

| Other crew-members|

* Charlie O'Donnell (1958-1969)
* Edward Yates (1952-1969)

|

Production
companies|

* WFIL-TV (1952–1964)
* Walter Annenberg
* The Philadelphia Inquirer
* Dick Clark Productions (1964–1989)
* Snader Telescriptions
* Official Films

| Filming locations|

* WFIL-TV's Studio 'B' (October 7, 1952-1964)
* RCA TK-40/41
* ABC Television Center in Los Angeles (Stage 54 or Stage 55) (February 8, 1964-September 5, 1987)
* KCET's Studio B (September 19, 1987-June 4, 1988)
* Universal Studios Hollywood (April 8, 1989-October 7, 1989)

|

Original networks|

* WFIL-TV (1952–1957)
* ABC (1957–1987)
* Children's programming on ABC
* Syndicated (1987–1988)
* LBS Communications
* USA Network (1989)

Theme music
composers|

* Artie Shaw ("High Society")
* Larry Elgart ("Bandstand Boogie")
* Mike Curb ("Bandstand Theme")
* 1969-1974
* Joe Porter ("Bandstand Boogie")
* 1974-1977
* Barry Manilow ("Bandstand Boogie")
* 1977-1987
* Billy Preston ("Space Race")
* 1974-1987

Related shows|

* The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show (February 15, 1958–September 10, 1960)
* Soul Unlimited (1973)

| Similar shows|

* Bandstand
* The Buddy Deane Show
* Soul Train
* The Clay Cole Show
* Electric Circus
* Top of the Pops

|

Related articles|

* List of acts who appeared on American Bandstand

* v
* t
* e

Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Series

Daytime Drama Special
(1974–1977)|

* The ABC Afternoon Playbreak ("The Other Woman") (1974)
* The ABC Afternoon Playbreak ("The Girl Who Couldn't Lose") (1975)
* First Ladies Diaries ("Edith Wilson") (1976)
* The American Woman: Portraits of Courage (1977)

Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement
(1978–1979)|

* Live from Lincoln Center ("Recital of Tenor Luciano Pavarotti from the Met") (1978)
* Camera Three (1979)

Informational Children's Series
(1980)|

* FYI: For Your Information (1980)

Informational Children's Series
(1981–1984)|

* FYI: For Your Information (1981)
* FYI: For Your Information (1982)
* American Bandstand (1983)
* FYI: For Your Information (1984)

Special Class Program
(1985, 1988–1999)|

* For Our Times ("To See a World") (1985)
* No Award (1988)
* China: Walls and Bridges / James Stewart's Wonderful Life (1989)
* No Award (1990)
* Live from Lincoln Center ("Yo-Yo Ma in Concert") (1991)
* Spaceship Earth: Our Global Environment (1992)
* Great Wonders of the World ("Wonders of Nature") (1993)
* Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1994)
* Talk Soup (1995)
* World AIDS Day Special (1996)
* Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1997)
* Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1998)
* Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1999)

Pre-School Children's Series
(1986–1987)|

* Chagall's Journey / Live from Lincoln Center ("Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center with Irene Worth and Horacio Gutierrez") (1986)
* ABC Notebook ("The Children of Ellis Island") / One to Grow On / Taking Children Seriously (1987)

Special Class Series
(2000–2020)|

* Film Preservation Classics (2000)
* Behind the Screen with John Burke (2001)
* Behind the Screen with John Burke (2002)
* A Baby Story (2003)
* When I Was a Girl (2004)
* Starting Over (2005)
* A Baby Story (2006)
* Made (2007)
* Made (2008)
* True Life (2009)
* The Relic Hunter with Ian Grant (2010)
* Made (2011)
* Super Soul Sunday (2012)
* Made (2013)
* Super Soul Sunday (2014)
* The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation (2015)
* Lucky Dog (2016)
* Super Soul Sunday (2017)
* Xploration Earth 2050 (2018)
* Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2019)
* The Day I Picked My Parents (2020)

* v
* t
* e

Children's programming on the American Broadcasting Company in the 1960s

First-run
animated series|

* Rocky and His Friends (1959–1973)
* The New Casper Cartoon Show (1963–1970)
* Hoppity Hooper (1964–1967)
* The Beatles (1965–1969)
* The Porky Pig Show
* Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales
* Milton the Monster (1965–1968)
* The King Kong Show (1966–1969)
* Fantastic Four (1967–1970)
* Spider-Man (1967–1970)
* Journey to the Center of the Earth (1967–1969)
* George of the Jungle (1967–1970)
* The Adventures of Gulliver (1968–1970)
* Fantastic Voyage (1968–1970)
* The Smokey Bear Show (1969-1970)
* The Cattanooga Cats Show (1969–1971)
* Hot Wheels (1969–1971)
* The Hardy Boys (1969–1971)
* Skyhawks (1969–1971)

First-run
live-action series|

* Lunch with Soupy Sales (1959–1961)
* The Magic Land of Allakazam (1962–1964)
* Discovery (1962–1971)
* American Bandstand (1957–1987)
* Shenanigans (1964–1965)

Rebroadcasts|

* Top Cat (1962–1963)
* The Bugs Bunny Show (1962–1968)
* My Friend Flicka
* The Jetsons (1962–1964)
* Beany and Cecil (1962–1988)
* Buffalo Bill, Jr.
* Annie Oakley
* The Magilla Gorilla Show
* Linus the Lionhearted (1966–1969)

Related|

* Golden age of American animation
* Animation in the United States in the television era

* v
* t
* e

Children's programming on the American Broadcasting Company in the 1970s

First-run
animated series|

* The New Casper Cartoon Show (1963–70)
* The Smokey the Bear Show (1969–70)
* The Cattanooga Cats Show (1969–71)
* Hot Wheels (1969–71)
* Skyhawks (1969–71)
* The Adventures of Gulliver (1968–70)
* Fantastic Voyage (1968–70)
* The Reluctant Dragon & Mr. Toad Show (1970-71)
* Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down (1970–72)
* The Road Runner Show (1971–73)
* The Funky Phantom (1971–73)
* Jackson 5ive (1971–73)
* The Osmonds (1972–74)
* The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie (1972–74)
* The Brady Kids (1972–74)
* Kid Power (1972–74)
* Yogi's Gang (1973–75)
* Super Friends (1973–74)
* Lassie's Rescue Rangers (1973–75)
* Goober and the Ghost Chasers (1973–75)
* Mission: Magic! (1973–74)
* Hong Kong Phooey (1974–75)
* The New Adventures of Gilligan (1974–77)
* Devlin (1974–76)
* These Are the Days (1974–76)
* The Tom and Jerry Show (1975–77)
* The Great Grape Ape Show (1975–76)
* The Oddball Couple (1975–77)
* Jabberjaw (1976–78)
* The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour (1976–77)
* The Mumbly Cartoon Show (1976–77)
* Dynomutt, Dog Wonder (1976–77)
* The All-New Super Friends Hour (1977–78)
* Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics (The Scooby-Doo Show
* Laff-A-Lympics
* Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels) (1977–79)
* Fangface (1978–79)
* Challenge of the Superfriends (1978–79)
* The All-New Pink Panther Show (1978–79)
* The World's Greatest SuperFriends (1979–80)
* The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (Mighty Man and Yukk
* Rickety Rocket) (1979–81)
* Spider-Woman (1979–80)
* Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979–80)

First-run
live-action series|

* American Bandstand (1957–87)
* Discovery (1962-71)
* Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp (1970–72)
* Here Come the Double Deckers (1970–72)
* Lidsville (1971–73)
* Curiosity Shop (1971–73)
* Make a Wish (1971–76)
* Korg: 70,000 B.C. (1974–75)
* The Lost Saucer (1975–76)
* Uncle Croc's Block (1975–76)
* The Krofft Supershow (1976–78)
* Bigfoot and Wildboy
* Dr. Shrinker
* Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
* Magic Mongo
* Wonderbug
* Junior Almost Anything Goes (1976–78)
* Animals, Animals, Animals (1976–81)
* ABC Weekend Special (1977–97)
* Kids Are People Too (1978–82)

Rebroadcasts|

* George of the Jungle (1967–70)
* Bewitched (1971–73)
* Jonny Quest (1970–72)
* H.R. Pufnstuf (1972–73)
* The Monkees (1972–73)
* Speed Buggy (1975-76)
* Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1978)
* The Bugs Bunny Show (1973–75)

Related topics|

* Animation in the United States in the television era

* v
* t
* e

Children's programming on the American Broadcasting Company in the 1980s

First-run
animated series|

* The World's Greatest SuperFriends (1979–80)
* The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (Mighty Man and Yukk
* Fangface
* Rickety Rocket) (1979–80)
* Spider-Woman (1979–80)
* Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979–80)
* Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels (1977–80)
* Super Friends (1980-82)
* The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (1980–82)
* Richie Rich (1980–84)
* Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (shorts) (1980–82)
* Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–82)
* The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show (1980–82)
* Laverne & Shirley in the Army (1981–82)
* Goldie Gold and Action Jack (1981–82)
* Pac-Man (1982–84)
* The Little Rascals (1982–84)
* Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour (1982–83)
* The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour (1982–83)
* The Puppy's Further Adventures (1982–84)
* Monchhichis (1983–84)
* Rubik, the Amazing Cube (1983–84, 1985)
* The Littles (1983–86)
* Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show (1984–85)
* Mighty Orbots (1984–85)
* Turbo Teen (1984–85)
* Dragon's Lair (1984–85)
* Wolf Rock TV (1984)
* The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show/The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries (1983–85)
* Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985–90)
* Ewoks (1985–87)
* Droids (1985–86)
* The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985–86)
* The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985)
* Pound Puppies (1986–88)
* The Care Bears Family (1986–88)
* The Flintstone Kids (1986–89)
* The Real Ghostbusters (1986–91)
* My Pet Monster (1987–88)
* The Little Clowns of Happytown (1987-88)
* Little Wizards (1987-88)
* The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil (1988)
* The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988–1991)
* A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988–91)
* Beetlejuice (1989–92)

First-run
live-action series|

* ABC Weekend Special (1977–97)
* American Bandstand (1957–87)
* Animals, Animals, Animals (1976–81)
* Kids Are People Too (1978–82)
* Menudo on ABC (1983–85)
* ABC Funfit (1985)
* ABC Fun Facts (1988)

Rebroadcasts|

* The Best of Scooby-Doo (1983–84)
* The Bugs Bunny Show (1985–2000)
* Scary Scooby Funnies (1984–85)
* Scooby's Mystery Funhouse (1985–86)
* Pink Panther and Sons (1986)
* The Wuzzles (1986–87)

Related|

* Animation in the United States in the television era
* Modern animation in the United States

* v
* t
* e

USA Network original programming

Current|

* Barmageddon (since 2022)
* Chucky (since 2021)
* Miz & Mrs. (since 2018)
* Temptation Island (since 2019)
* WWE NXT (since 2019)
* WWE Raw (1993–2000; since 2005)

Former|

| 1970s debuts|

* Calliope (1978–93)
* Video Concert Hall (1978–81)
* NBA on USA (1979–84)
* NHL on USA (1979–85)
* USA Network Thursday Night Baseball (1979–83)

|

1980s debuts|

* Airwolf (1987)
* Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1987–89)
* American Bandstand (1989)
* Bumper Stumpers (1987–90)
* Camp Midnite (1989)
* Chain Reaction (1986–91)
* College Basketball on USA (1982–88)
* College Football on USA (1980–86)
* Commander USA's Groovie Movies (1985–89)
* Dance Party USA (1986–92)
* The Dick Cavett Show (1985–86)
* Golf on USA (1982–2007, 2010)
* The Hitchhiker (1989–91)
* Jackpot (1985–88)
* Love Me, Love Me Not (1986–87)
* Mazda SportsLook (1981–82)
* Major Indoor Soccer League (1982–83)
* North American Soccer League (1982–83)
* Night Flight (1981–88)
* PBA on USA (1982–84)
* Radio 1990 (1983–86)
* Sanchez of Bel Air (1986)
* Southwest Championship Wrestling (1982–83)
* Survivor Series Showdown (1989–93)
* Tuesday Night Titans (1984–86)
* U.S. Open Tennis Championship (1984–2008)
* USA Cartoon Express (1982–96)
* USA Saturday Nightmares (1984–94)
* USA Tuesday Night Fights (1982–98)
* USA Up All Night (1989–98)
* Westminster Dog Show (1984–2003)
* WWF All American Wrestling (1983–94)
* WWF Prime Time Wrestling (1985–93)

1990s debuts|

* Beyond Reality (1991–93)
* The Big Date (1996–97)
* The Big Easy (1996–97)
* Campus Cops (1996)
* Claude's Crib (1997)
* Counterstrike (1990–93)
* Duckman (1994–97)
* Farmclub.com (1999–2000)
* G vs E (1999)
* Highlander: The Animated Series (1994–95)
* Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)
* La Femme Nikita (1997–2001)
* Lost on Earth (1997)
* March to WrestleMania (1992–94)
* Moby Dick (1998)
* Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996–98)
* The Net (1998–99)
* Pacific Blue (1996–2000)
* Renegade (1996–97)
* The Savage Dragon (1995–98)
* Silk Stalkings (1993–99)
* Street Fighter (1995–98)
* Strip Poker (1999–2000)
* The Superman/Batman Adventures (1995–96)
* SummerSlam Spectacular (1991-93)
* Swamp Thing (1990–93)
* Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills (1994–95)
* TekWar (1994–96)
* Ultraforce (1996–98)
* USA Action Extreme Team (1995–98)
* USA Gonzo Games (1991)
* USA High (1997–99)
* Weird Science (1994–98)
* Wing Commander Academy (1996–98)
* World League of American Football (1991–92)
* WWF Heat (1998–2000)
* WWF Action Zone (1994–96)
* WWF LiveWire (1996–2000)
* WWF Mania (1993–96)
* WWF Superstars (1996–2000)

2000s debuts|

* The 4400 (2004–07)
* Burn Notice (2007–13)
* Cannonball Run 2001 (2001)
* Combat Missions (2002)
* Cover Me (2000–01)
* Crush (2000)
* The Dead Zone (2002–07)
* Dr. Steve-O (2007)
* Eco-Challenge (2000–02)
* Helen of Troy (2003)
* The Huntress (2000–01)
* In Plain Sight (2008–12)
* Kojak (2005)
* Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007–11)
* Manhattan, AZ (2000)
* Monk (2002–09)
* Nashville Star (2003–07)
* Peacemakers (2003)
* Psych (2006–14)
* Royal Pains (2009–16)
* Smush (2001)
* Spartacus (2004)
* The Starter Wife
* miniseries (2007)
* TV series (2008)
* Stealing Christmas (2003)
* Three Wise Guys (2005)
* To Love and Die (2008)
* Touching Evil (2004)
* Traffic (2004)
* Underfunded (2006)
* The War Next Door (2000)
* White Collar (2009–14)

2010s debuts|

* American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja (2017–18)
* Benched (2014)
* Chrisley Knows Best (2014–23)
* Colony (2016–18)
* Common Law (2012)
* Complications (2015)
* Covert Affairs (2010–14)
* Damnation (2017–18)
* Dare Me (2019–20)
* Dig (2015)
* Donny! (2015)
* Eyewitness (2016)
* Fairly Legal (2011–12)
* Falling Water (2016–18)
* First Impressions (2016)
* Graceland (2013–15)
* Mr. Robot (2015–19)
* Necessary Roughness (2011–13)
* Pearson (2019)
* Playing House (2014–17)
* Political Animals (2012)
* The Purge (2018–19)
* Queen of the South (2016–21)
* Rush (2014)
* Satisfaction (2014–15)
* Shooter (2016–18)
* The Sinner (2017–21)
* Sirens (2014–15)
* Straight Up Steve Austin (2019-21)
* Suits (2011–19)
* Treadstone (2019)
* Unsolved (2018)
* WWE Tough Enough (2011)
* WWE SmackDown LIVE (2016–19)

2020s debuts|

* The Biggest Loser (2020)
* Briarpatch (2020)
* Cannonball (2020)
* Dirty John (2020)
* America's Big Deal (2021)
* The Courtship (2022)
* Snake in the Grass (2022)

Sports|

* AMA Supercross Championship (since 2022)
* College basketball (since 2022)
* College football (since 2020)
* Golf (since 2022)
* IndyCar Series (since 2022)
* NASCAR (since 2022)
* NHL (2015–21)
* Olympics (since 2008)
* Premier League (since 2014)

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