American Bandstand

1 9 5 7 - 1 9 8 7 (USA)

This very long-running music show began on the ABC network on August 5, 1957, although the program actually dates back to 1952 when it was a local Philadelphia show simply called Bandstand and hosted by Bob Horn (who was fired from the show in 1956 amidst allegations of drunk driving and sexual misconduct with a young girl). 

A local Philadelphia disc jockey, Dick Clark, took over as master of ceremonies, and the ever-youthful Clark  remained until 1987, when the show was briefly presented by David Hirsch.

A decision was made to broadcast the show nationally, and on August 5 1957, American Bandstand aired live around the country for the first time - The very first song aired on the national program was Jerry Lee Lewis’ Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On.

The show featured kids dancing to the latest pop hits, with occasional appearances from musical acts of the day who would lip-sync their latest hits. Each year a dance contest was held (as seen to great effect in the pastiche in the movie Grease).

Clark kept things simple, using a set of bleachers for the dancing kids to rest on, a podium for himself, an autograph table for guest stars, and a sign showing the week's Top Ten hit records.

American Bandstand soon became daytime’s top-rated program as millions of kids across the US rushed home after school to watch it. Over the years, almost every famous rock star was a guest on the program - except for Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson. In 1957, two schoolboys who called themselves Tom and Jerry made their debut singing their own song, Hey Schoolgirl. They went on to become Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

American Bandstand moved from WFIL-TV in Philadelphia to Los Angeles in 1964, and continued to play a vital part in the creation of rock & roll until the show finally finished it's run on the USA Network after ABC eventually dropped the show in 1987. Another victim of the MTV generation!