Dick Clark Dies: American Bandstand, Soul Train, Clark’s Impact On This Black Man

Dick Clark died at 82 years of age and of a heart attack today. Remembering Dick Clark, the King of New Years’ Eve, take me back to the late 60s and early 70s, when I watched American Bandstand at a time when most Blacks were told not to by other Blacks.

My Mom (or Father for that matter) didn’t care one way or the other, and I was determined to be myself, not what some one else was telling me to be. Because of that decision, I was open to enjoy American Bandstand and Soul Train at the same time, because they came on at the same time on Saturday in Chicago through 1972.

I thank Dick Clark for presenting a great picture of American Culture and being with me through my formative years.

And as a note, if Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve show was on my TV, it meant I didn’t have a date. Thus, I didn’t see New Year’s Rockin Eve much at all.