THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY – 12/31/72, Dick Clark Created an Iconic Event
DICK CLARK'S NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2012 - New York, 12/31/11 - The legendary Dick Clark, celebrating 40 years of ringing in the New Year on the ABC Television Network, is back along with Ryan Seacrest to count down to 2012 with an all-star lineup of live performances in Times Square. (Photo by Ida Mae Astute/ABC via Getty Images) RYAN SEACREST, DICK CLARK
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ON THIS DAY ON MUSIC HISTORY, DECEMBER 31, 1972:
Dick Clark commenced what would become a popular and widely viewed custom as his first New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show was broadcast on NBC.
Some of the original guests consisted of Three Dog Night and Al Green.
At the time, expert bandleader Guy Lombardo had a long running yearly New Year’s Eve special on CBS, including his Royal Canadians broadcasting from the ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Resort.
Dick Clark, who had his finger firmly on the pulse of popular music as the host of American Bandstand, believed Lombardo’s style was stuffy and also outdated.
Clark felt a fresh technique was necessary.
With his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special, Clark’s program aired live from the heart of Times Square, New York City.
Clark innovates the New Year’s Eve broadcast forever
There a crowd of revelers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, eager to enjoy the ball’s drop and also ring in the new year.
Some of the most popular acts of the day provided pre-recorded entertainment from the ballroom of the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.
Acts consisted of the aforementioned Three Dog Night, Al Green as well as Helen Reddy and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
After two years, the innovative extravaganza moved to ABC.
On ABC, Clark came to be a key component of the New Year’s holiday for numerous audiences over the course of 4 decades.
Clark’s association with the occasion is so ingrained in the culture, he’s spoofed on The Simpsons’ Halloween-themed episode “Treehouse of Horror X”.
After Clark’s death in 2012, his protégé Ryan Seacrest officially took over as host to date..
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