An Entertainment Icon Gone: Dick Clark Dies at 82

The entertainment world mourned the loss of another icon on Wednesday, as it was announced that the venerable Dick Clark had died of a heart attack at age 82. His radio show in Philadelphia and later, the long-running “American Bandstand” television show, introduced American audiences to the latest and greatest musical acts.

In the 60’s, Clark moved West and started his long, successful run on television. His “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” was THE show to watch for decades, offering the best in music from a bird’s eye view among the throng in New York City.

He remained on-air after suffering a stroke in the early part of the last decade. Though his role was diminished and he had handed the baton to Ryan Seacrest as the lead host, Clark’s familiar face and signature salute served as the bridge between generations of music lovers. His production company is the model by which Seacrest and other entertainment moguls built their empires.