On Wednesday, April 18, 2012, Dick Clark, the perpetual teenager,  passed away at the age of 82 years.  Dick Clark was always a part of my life.  My earliest memories are of watching Band Stand on Saturday mornings to find out what records were most popular & trying to copy the dance moves of the in studio dancers.  I think this program was my first introduction to white & black people interacting with each other, dancing with each other & generally having a good time together.

Later on, I would watch Dick Clark on one of my favorite game shows – $25,000 & $100,000 Pyramids.  I loved the premise of the show & how hard the celebrities worked to win the money for the contestants.  You got to see a whole other side of these celebrities.

I am old enough to remember the New Year’s Eve shows with Guy Lombardo where everyone was dressed to the nines in long gowns with dazzling jewellery & tuxedos & danced to more sedate music.  When Dick Clark offered Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve, it was a breath of fresh air.  You got to see ordinary people partying to good music & ringing in the new year.  This was especially important to me because my first husband was a “music man” which meant he had a gig to play every New Year’s Eve.  I would be at home alone with my daughter.  I didn’t get to ring in the new year with people I loved or with dancing & drinking.  I got to ring in the new year with Dick Clark for many, many, many years.