SOUL SUNDAYS

Welcome back To Soul Sundays with Mrs. Toons, Today's selection is in memory of "America's oldest Teenager" Dick Clark. He passed away earlier this week April 18 at the age of 82, due to a massive Heart Attack after a surgery. The world has lost another legend. He showed us how to dance & what music to listen to. He also gave us something to do on New Year's Eve. For generations Dick Clark was more than just a TV host, he was the person who helped shape key memories in our lives. In judging Clark's accomplishments, some might use his giant television empire as the benchmark. He made millions of dollars as a television entrepreneur, showing far more business savvy than you'd expect from someone with a slightly derisive nickname, "America's oldest living teenager." Game shows, award shows, bloopers, the American Music Awards -- hours of television were filled by Dick Clark productions. For most Americans, their memories of Clark are personal. He came to them in their living room with "American Bandstand," counting down the hits, introducing the latest dance moves and hair styles, and chatting up the pop act of the hour who would stop by lip-synch their new songs. Or they would join him on New Year's Eve, a friendly face for the dateless, or those who just wanted to stay away from the crowd. His other television institution, "New Year's Rockin' Eve," is still going strong at age 40. Lady Gaga was the last star of Clark's last New Year's show this winter bringing in 2012. "American Bandstand" was a simple idea blessed with perfect timing. Television was new in the early 1950s, and a Philadelphia station began showing a version of a teen dance party in the afternoon. Clark, a DJ in the city, took over as host in 1956. It soon went national. One of the country's biggest generations, the post-World War II baby boom, was heading into their teen years, itching to dance to this new sound of rock `n' roll. Clark spun the hits, as the camera panned to kids trying out the freshest dance moves. It was a required stop for the day's hitmakers, and exposure on "American Bandstand" could send a song soaring up the charts. He'd ask an audience member to listen to a couple of brand-new songs each week and rate their hit potential, launching the immortal phrase: "It's got a good beat, and you can dance to it." The show moved to Saturday afternoons in 1963, and continued to wield great influence. Chubby Checker's "Twist" dance craze owed much to the teens shown gyrating on "Bandstand." The music changed, but "Bandstand" kept an open mind. MTV eventually killed "Bandstand"; people didn't need a once-a-week appointment to see people dance to songs on TV when they could watch music videos at any hour. The show's influence didn't disappear, MTV's "Total Request Live," big in the boy band era, was simply "Bandstand" for another generation (with a much shorter shelf life). Clark suffered a stroke back in 2004. Even after a severe stroke it affected Clark's ability to speak clearly and Seacrest joined him as co-host, Clark still made it a point to show up every year at Times Square, tenderly kissing his wife to celebrate another year. The show never remained frozen in time, either. Clark always brought on the hottest stars. It's a holiday tradition that will live on without him, but forever defined by him. Just like he would say at the end of every show. For now Dick Clark, Soooo Long.
Thanks for "Tooning In"
 Mrs. Julie Toon$ 

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