Yeah, I know. There is probably at least one generation out there saying, "Who's Dick Clark?" (sigh) But to many of us, he was an institution. As long as I can remember, the man has been everywhere.
I don't remember ever watching American Bandstand, although I was certainly aware of it. Clark began hosting it in 1956, I believe, and it went on, what, forever? Into the 80s? I do remember hearing his radio show, "Rock, Roll and Remember," for a long time. And I definitely remember watching him on the game show Pyramid (started as $10,000 Pyramid and then the grand prize increased over the years). His standard sign-off was a salute to the camera and "This is Dick Clark... for now, so long."
Oh, he also hosted a TV Bloopers show for a while. I loved those. And of course, there was his New Year's Rockin' Eve countdown show. Like I said, the man was everywhere.
When I heard the news this afternoon, I had a vague memory of hearing my father talk about DC, maybe 30-35 years ago? Anyway, he met with him for some showbiz reason, but I can't remember what it was. For grins, he got me an autographed picture. I went digging through a drawer, and lo and behold:
I unearthed another fun memory while I was digging around in there. When I was 11 years old, Dad went to England for six months to write for Tom Jones's variety show. While he was there, I wrote him letters, and one time I included a letter to Mr. Jones, saying how much I liked the show and asking for an autographed photo. Such a pre-adolescent crush I had on him!
Look what I found!
How cool is that? Sadly, that picture he sent is long gone; it went missing years ago. But it's still fun to have the letter.
OK, lest I get in weepy nostalgia mode, change of subject. Some are asking if I got my new phone yet. That was briefly delayed. I went to Verizon yesterday, all ready to buy, but I was derailed from the getgo. First, the saleperson I'd spoken to at length on Friday wasn't there, and I had to start all over again with someone new, who felt the need to give me a lot of spiel about alternative products. He went in a completely different direction -- suggested that I stick to a regular cell phone and get a tablet instead. I don't want a freaking tablet! When I finally convinced him that I'd made up my mind, he did spend several minutes with me, demonstrating the phone and some of the features. Then it was time to buy... and they were out of stock on the phone. @#$%!
He ordered it and it should be FedExed to me tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Damn. Nothing about spanking in this post, is there. Well, just to stay topical -- for those of you who enjoy the facial-expression photos, here's a fun screen grab from one of the Spanking Court clips, which I found on The Spanking Spot. Quite authentic too, I can assure you!
One more week until BBW. My nervous breakdown is due any minute.
So long, Dick Clark.
Oh yeah.. I was one of the "American Bandstand" watchers .. among a host of other things.. including watching the ball drop on New Years with DC for god knows how many years.
ReplyDeleteI think it's way too cool you have all this fun memorabilia! I hope you're now keeping these things in a SAFE PLACE!! (now THERE is another spankable offense for NEXT Monday. haha! Along with a good swat for every single one of those cassette tapes you're hoarding and allowing to gather dust) hahahahha!
> insert big yellow bus here.. LOL
Zelle -- insert gag in big mouth here! What a troublemaker you are! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! And, errr..uhh...you're welcome!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL!
DeleteDear Erica, Yes, Dick Clark, was to the popular music world, an Icon, with a capital I. And Tom Jones, the Welsh singer, whose hit song "Delilah", was my favorite tune. Yes, beautiful memories, and 'heirlooms, you have in your possession. Thanks for sharing those them with us. This is where you are at your best. XXX Luv.
ReplyDeleteErica! You are going to have a nervous breakdown about going to BBW?! God! You have gone to these things more than I have. I am not having a nervous breakdown about going. Should I? Is this a normal reaction I should be having and am not? Is this the start of a nervous breakdown happening for me? I wouldn't know as I am pretty sure that I have never had one. I think. ;)
ReplyDeleteI admit I am a little nervous.
I remember "American Bandstand" and learning the latest dances from that show. It was my MTV (early MTV when it was MTV) back then. I have fond memories of anything Dick Clark ever did on TV. I don't remember the radio show he did though. Hmmm.
Tom Jones. *SIGH* Yeah. Definitely a Top.
Thanks for the flashback. :)
Six -- "Delilah" was definitely a pretty song. I liked "What's New, Pussycat" as well.
ReplyDeleteBree -- no, you shouldn't have a nervous breakdown. Please don't. :-) Something about me that many already know -- to be blunt, I am batshit crazy neurotic before these parties. I worry about everything. See, I'm not typically a party person, so these weekends are huge for me. Plus, I hate traveling/flying. Hate it hate it HATE IT. So couple that with pre-party nerves and blammo -- nervous breakdown.
Hi Erica-- I remember watching DC on the Pyramid game show he was a great host,my Grandparent's watched that show that's how i knew who he was.WOW i think it's so COOL that you got DC and Tom Jone's autograph's WAY TO GO GIRL :-)I like the expression on your face in your pic.Hehehe Zelle is a hoot she is so funny LOL.Much love and hug's from your naughty girl Jade xoxo
ReplyDeleteJade -- your grandparents, huh? Oy, I'm so old. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll always remember him on New Year's Eve.
ReplyDeleteLea -- I have to say, it was painful to watch him the past few years on there, since his stroke. He looked so old and decrepit, propped up in that chair. He'd always been so vital. :-(
ReplyDeleteMy friends and I always rushed home from school to watch "Bandstand" and all the cool kids dancing. (I'm a "bit" older than you, Erica!) That seems like ages ago. It was always a standing joke to comment on a song, "Well, it has a good beat..." Thanks for sharing the memories.
ReplyDeleteThat is so neat that you have the picture and letter. Those are real treasures so hang on to them. I'm older than you are, too, though I wasn't interested in "Bandstand." I did watch it once in a while. DC was an icon all right. As for Tom Jones, he is, too, in a different way.
ReplyDeleteI only ever saw Dick Clark on Police Squad! asking Johnny "Word on the street" the shoeshine guy about ska...
ReplyDeleteMarne -- I wonder if my brother watched American Bandstand. He was eight years older than I.
ReplyDeleteBobbie Jo -- my crush on TJ was very brief, but it was the thrill of my lifetime at that point to receive that picture and letter! :-)
Al -- really? That's the ONLY time you saw him? Wow! You must not watch TV, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI watch too much if anything; I'm just on the other side of the Atlantic :-P
DeleteI remember watching AB with an older girlfriend when I went to her house after school. I didn't really care about it until a couple of years later when the Beatles came on the scene. Then I watched regularly (on Saturday morning, I think) in case they were guests, but they never were. I also read 16 magazine, and there used to be a cartoon series that featured Dick, the regulars from AB, as well as new musical artists.
ReplyDeleteI have a video of the best of American Bandstand. My husband remembers seeing most of it first time around. How cool that you got an autographed picture.
There was a TV special on a while ago about two developmentally challenged but brilliant twins who had a major crush on Dick Clark, memorized every fact there was to know about him, and eventually met him in person. They are going to be devastated.
Hugs,
Hermione
Hermione -- how sad about the twins! Clark was quite the institution; they covered him at length on the news last night and he was involved in even more than I thought. What a life.
ReplyDeleteI never had any personal contact with him, but for those of us who spent any time in Broadcasting Dick Clark was one of the guys you admired. He was a real pro, and remarkably courteous to fans and so-workers alike. His stroke was heartbreaking, but to see how far he beat it was inspirational.
ReplyDeleteMy ex was in charge of the publicity for a Tom Jones show in the early eighties. This was the ad agency that was also doing work with the Catholic Diocese at the time, so she got tickets for a bunch of the nuns. They had a great time! Her gray cat was named Delilah, which shows how big a fan she was, and I have a backstage picture of her all googly-eyed with Tom's arm around her. It was after the show, and he had changed into a T-shirt that read, "Proud To Be Welsh."
It's always a delight to see you on your tummy! ;-D
Dave -- as you know, I'm reeling from today's news, so I've completely forgotten about this. But I shouldn't. Geeezus, what a crappy week for beloved icons, huh?
ReplyDeleteThere's a trivia question for the future: What do Dick Clark, Tom Jones and Erica Scott getting spanked have in common? Strangely, they all appeared in the same blog post!
ReplyDeleteCraig -- that is pretty damn bizarre, isn't it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs a young kid growing up in the 70s, I loved Dick's AB and his New Year's specials. He really promoted a bunch of now well known bands in those days. Truthfully I can't dance worth shit and didn't care how well the guests danced either. I just really identified with the music of my youth.
ReplyDeleteYeah...BBW...major jitters for a multitude of reasons-broken travel arrangements, my first party ever, and singing in front of strangers. Oh, there are SPANKINGS involved, too?!! :)
Kelly -- broken travel arrangements?? That sucks! I got email this morning that offered a flight upgrade to John and me for first class. I was thrilled... until I read it would only cost us a mere $299 apiece. Please!
ReplyDeletePittsburgh is a very large airport, YET it has no direct flights to Atlantic City which is strange considering that's a major tourist city. So I'm flying to Philly Friday AM then taking that Tropiano shuttle to AC and HOPEFULLY getting there no later than 2 PM.
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping none of us have to deal with screaming kids, stinky seat mates and seat hogs!!! :)