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. Were goin hopin today One young performer was dangled down an elevator shaft. They were introduced as a result of an email sent to the Fifties Web. 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. Steve Colanero, 66, a West Philadelphia transplant in Palm Beach, Fla., posted on Facebook a picture from the 1980s of himself with Clark. California residents do not sell my data request. The Buddy Deane Show aired on WJZ-TV until January 4, 1964. Years later, when Clark was asked whether any of the dancers had died of AIDS, he stated that one had, Smith recalled. The couple first honeymooned on the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the famed railway that was immortalized by Glenn Miller and was the first to run South to North. [36] Clark remained as executive producer. They married during her Thanksgiving vacation from Northeast High School. Nicholas Fiorentino, 67, a South Philly native now living in Cherry Hill, said it was clear even to Bandstand teenagers that Clark was going places. Finally, we got away and jumped over the turnstile. July 9th, 1988", "Retro Request: Sat 10/31 & 11/7 and Sun 11/1, 1987", "AB now in syndication: Jody Watley, Dan Hill, David Spade", "Clark ends long-playing spin on bandstand", "On 'Bandstand,' Dick Clark Says Goodbye", "AGELESS CLARK STILL STANDS FOR THE 'AMERICAN' BAND", "Hits Prove Hard to Find at Dick Clark Productions: Entertainment: Performance has been mediocre since the company went public in 1987. To the left youll find original pictures of some of the Regulars. NEW PAGE! [8] In the fall of 1961, ABC truncated American Bandstand's airtime from 90 to 60 minutes (4:005:00pm ET), then even further as a daily half-hour (4:004:30pm ET) program in September 1962; beginning in early 1963, all five shows for the upcoming week were videotaped the preceding Saturday. (7/21/2011) I just received this from Bunny Gibson and certainly thought it was appropriate to mention here: Anna Russo, formerly Anna Banani, went to American Bandstand 1963 until AB left Philly for Los Angeles, lost both of her legs to diabetes and is in need. Of Clarks behind-the-scenes behavior at Studio B, Ray Smith writes unsparingly: The irony about Clark is that he was not the goody-two-shoes he projected: he smoked, cursed, and for a while teetered on the edge of alcoholism. Bunny and Duke met several months ago and now are married. Thats why Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson would never appear on the show, but movie stars Jeff Chandler, Tab Hunter, Sal Mineo came., Dancing came naturally to Sullivan, the way it did to all Regulars, she says. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 03:03, The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show, Top of newscast salutes to Clark deserved, "Did the Beatles kill America's radio stars? 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. Delmont, Matthew F. (September 30, 2014). That might have had something to do with the scandal that surrounded the departure of his predecessor, Bob Horn, who faced a drunken-driving arrest and morals charges. In 1962, ABC trimmed the shows airtime from 90 to 60 minutes. 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. Out filmmaker Christopher Landon spills the spooky tea on his new movie and working with the 'White Lotus' star. Carol Highsmith, photographer, Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog. 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]. we were like a little family together, and we all had something in common, and we all stuck together, and that made it easier for us.. She told me she got so many letters from fans who thought I looked like her and [with our dark hair], we did look alike. . "He was the commander," Colanero said. Dick Clark took over as host in 1956, and the show made its network debut on ABC-TV on Aug. 5, 1957. Dick Clark died on April 18, 2012, at the age of 82. He promoted the couples on the show to mask the fact that so many guys were gay.5. You want to know about the guy! West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Jersey you learned the different styles of the same dances., The Regulars did the Pony, Jitterbug, Calypso, Cha-cha and a slow dance that she says wasnt exactly a waltz: The kids didnt stand in one spot. These Regulars . I kissed a girl, and I liked it! Sullivan, now 74 and long out of the closet, reveals in a fascinating self-published book, Bandstand Diaries billed as The Book Youve Waited Over 50 Years to Read!. The Village People performed their legendary song, "YMCA" for the audience in Pasadena, California. The young dancers on American Bandstand were the reality stars of the 1950s and '60skids nationwide rushed home to watch their every move and chatter about their relationships and exploits. Clark said this about Horn: My favorite dance was the Jitterbug the last dance where people danced together. Handbags - Formal Wear. They were hurting him. 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. , True love 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. "Dick Clark introduced records, and the camera followed teenagers as they selected partners to dance," writes historian Matthew Delmont. She was one of five brothers and sisters; had a huge family vacation home in Sea Isle City where Regulars visited: and dated Frank Levins and Denny Dziena. These experienced Regulars considered an infrequent participant or a first time visitor an amateur. I wonder what they would have thought about a kid in TV Land, practicing the new steps in front of her bedroom mirror and praying to God her little brother didnt catch her at it. I knew all their names. When he became a regular in 1959, Clark was only 30. The Hand Jive. Bandstand Diaries shares some public information and photos about Frani (page 84). . And then they leave the show, go up on the El, go home to their neighborhoods, they then had to run to their door because somebody was always waiting there to beat them up.. Anna Russo, 2800 North 7th Street, Apt. Bandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963 shares the fascinating story of how Dick Clark's American Bandstand and its millions of viewers catapulted its teenage dancers (called "the Regulars") to fame. I started going out to straight clubs.. In August 1963, ABC reassignedAmerican Bandstandto Saturday afternoon. Clark now eyed California as where the action is. And in February 1964 Clark moved to Los Angeles, where it would continue until 1989, though lacking its West Philadelphia spontaneity. I was trying to hit them over their heads with my pocketbook, but they just wouldnt give up. I went to Bandstand because I was gay and I was a misfit in my neighborhood. One night at a party I met a girl who was one of the stars on American Bandstand I was blown away.. ", Jennifer Coolidge Screams, Is a Queen in Netflix's 'We Have a Ghost'. At 74, Sullivan still dances once a week at a party thrown by another Bandstand dancer. The rest is American Bandstand history. And while more openly gay performers are comfortable taking the stage these days, it's good to know we've always been thereeven if in silence. The short Snader and Official music films continued in the short term to fill gaps when dancers were changed during the showa necessity, because the studio could not fit more than 200 teenagers. History goes back and forth with the timing and motives of the integration, but nevertheless, American Bandstand socially impacted teenagers' opinions regarding race. 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. It was briefly shot in color in 1958 when WFIL-TV began experimenting with the new technology. JUSTINE AND BOB. EARLY BANDSTAND FASHIONS. You eventually get cancelled.. He was 21 and she was 16. "My heart hurts," said Gibson, a regular from 1959 to 1961. 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). A half-hour evening version of American Bandstand aired on Monday nights from 7:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. (ET), beginning on October 7, 1957. It became a national institution and Dick Clark a celebrity. Kenny Rossi and Arlene Sullivan, Bunny Gibson and Eddie Kelly, Pat Molittieri, Carmen Jimenz, Joyce Shafer. Prior to the move, Bandstand had sourced many of its up-and-coming acts from Philadelphia's Cameo-Parkway Records. He spoke of his youth, of Bandstand and his favorite gal, Bunny. Like Rick Pierce, Bandstand dancer Sandra Mae Dawson, who died Feb. 25, 2008, at age 66, was into car racing. On December 27 Bunny Gibson, American Bandstand Regular from 1959-1962, married Duke Tirschel in Chattanooga , Tennessee. Aura Mayari Just Wants to Live Her Zombie Apocalypse Fantasy. Mickey Mouse Club At the time, being open about their sexuality would have meant the end for these young performers with stars in their eyes. [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. So Bandstand really did change her life in many ways. May, 1961. We'll see you then. However unethical his behavior may have been, his federal income tax records seemed to be in order. Dancing with the American Bandstand Stars Fundraiser, July 15, 2009 I said, In that case, Im staying. I was shocked. Wagon Train Website,