[April 19, 2012]    

In his long career as host and producer, Dick Clark was the TV connection between pop music, its stars and eager fans. With camera-friendly, forever-youthful good looks and a broadcaster's poise, Clark held court on "American Bandstand" and "New Year's Rockin' Eve."

He brought rock 'n' roll into U.S. homes on "Bandstand" as a savvy messenger who knew what teenagers wanted and could ease the concerns of wary parents over unfamiliar tunes. And he made the corny traditions of New Year's a bit cooler with rock stars on hand.

But it was his business acumen that turned Clark into a major force in music and television. As executive producer of the American Music Awards, he provided a showcase for artists including Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera. His Dick Clark Productions also brought movies, game and music shows, beauty contests and more to TV, including "The $25,000 Pyramid" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes."

Clark died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 82.

AP file photo

In this file photo from Feb. 3, 1959, Dick Clark selects a record in his station library in Philadelphia.

This file photo from July 26, 1960, shows Dick Clark and Barbara Mallery with their son, Richard, 3, in their home near Philadelphia.

 

In this 1973 file photo released by ABC, Dick Clark presents the "Rock and Roll Year" -- a musical portrait of the 1950s and 1960s on the ABC television network in a series of five specials.

This 1974 file photo originally provided by ABC-TV shows "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark.

 

This December 1980 file photo of Dick Clark was released by ABC.

This March 8, 1982, file photo shows Dick Clark.