We lost an American icon this week, Dick Clark. Dick was an original. He was the first person to break a record nationally. He never saw color in artists. At a time when many radio stations refused to play music by black performers, Dick played Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and James Brown for a national audience.
He was a hell of a businessman. He took Rock and Roll from the clutches of payola and let his audience decide about the merits of the music (i.e. “I like the beat. I can dance to it. I’ll rate it a ten.”).
He created the Academy of Country Music and many other award shows, primarily to showcase the music, when so little Rock and Roll was on television. His production company was extremely successful, and no New Years Eve will ever be the same without him.
I met Dick a few times. He was always kind and respectful toward me. He did business on an honest, ethical basis, which was missing in many of his contemporaries.
I don’t think the American record business would have developed without Dick Clark. So many of us owe him so much. He will really be missed.
~
Hail Hail, Rock and Roll
Deliver me from the days of old
Rock, Rock, Rock and Roll
The music is there body and soul
- Chuck Berry

Recent Comments