Newswise — Few dispute Dick Clark’s prominence in American music and entertainment during the second half of the 20th century. But for the history of rock music, the early years of Clark’s career are the most significant, says John Covach, professor of music at the University of Rochester and its Eastman School of Music. “This impact begins with American Bandstand, a television show developed in Philadelphia but later broadcast nationally on ABC beginning in 1957. In those days, a lot of radio programming was migrating to television, and not just music programming; drama, comedy, variety shows, news, and just about anything else that had been on radio was on the move to TV,” says Covach. “Many of the bigger entertainment markets had discovered that pop-music radio shows could be easily converted to TV by simply putting the DJ on camera and playing the tunes while youngsters danced. Bandstand began as just such a radio show, which moved to TV with Bob Horn hosting. When Horn was fired after a drunk-driving incident, Clark, who had been doing the radio version of the show, replaced him. This is where Dick Clark’s influence on rock and roll begins. “Clark was not the only DJ doing a high-profile rock and roll show in the 1950s, but he was the one to recognize that what really made a show like this work was the dancing. He found that while teenagers avidly watched the show, adults also tuned in to see the teens dance. When some of these teens showed Clark a new dance they were doing, he sensed an opportunity. “He remembered a Hank Ballard record called “The Twist,” and quickly commissioned a new sound-alike version, sung by a newcomer dubbed Chubby Checker (a nod to Fats Domino). Clark then featured the new record on his show along with the dance. ‘The Twist’ launched a dance craze in pop music during the early 1960s as it was quickly followed by other dance songs. Clark once remarked that ‘The Twist’ was a turning point in rock’s history because it marked the first time that teens and adults would both admit they liked rock and roll. “Clark’s influence was far broader than the role he played as an on-air host and advocate for teen music. After playing a central role in shaping the history of rock music in its first decade, Clark went on to become one of the most important forces in the history of American popular culture. In the world of entertainment—a world where many come and go, with frequent meteoric rises and sometimes spectacular flame-outs—Clark remained at the top for more than 50 years, consistently projecting an earnest and positive image. The popular music and entertainment world was a better place because of him; he will be sorely missed.” John Covach is a rock historian and the author of several books including, Sounding Out Pop (2010, University of Michigan Press) and What’s that Sound? An Introduction to Rock and its History (2009, W.W. Norton & Company) now out in its third edition. For additional information about John Covach, visit http://www.rochester.edu/news/experts/index.php?id=298
About the University of RochesterThe University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by its Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.
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