18 thoughts on “Dick Clark, 1929-2012”

  1. And he still looked 25 years old!

    I think “American Bandstand” was a success because Dick Clark was likable, knew his audience and was comfortable being himself. He avoided the “hip trap”. I thought he would live forever.

  5. He was a big part of my life, especially during those years of forming who I am. I will miss him.

  6. Right now, my own father has only a few hours or days to live – maybe as long as a week, but probably not, and he’s no longer really conscious, or if so – minimally.

    I’m sitting by his bedside, watching him breathe. He’s heavily sedated, and asleep.

    I’m not sure how much I’ll be around here for the next few day, but I’ll try. This site, and a few others, are the only things that have kept me sane for years. But especially recently, where I escape here to take my mind off what’s been going on for a little bit.

    I’ll try to leave some pithy comments, here and there. Or, at least as pithy as I can make them, when I have some time.

    Take care everyone!

    • So sorry to hear about your father, gulag. My own parents are both gone, so I understand what you’re going through. Please know that many of us are sitting with you today.

  7. Bandstand was not allowed at my house as a kid, but I had a little b&w tv in my room and I figured out my radio head phones fit so I would watch and listen, but with only one headphone in at a time so I could hear if someone was coming. I used to split the show up between ears so neither would miss out..Oh how I loved that show ..Everytime I watched it I risked being set back to be a ward of the state ( that show and SOOOOUL TRAINNNNN) if I was caught, but it was sooo worth it! Between Dick and Don , they opened the door to music for me. They gave me a whole world I could escape into – they were like Gods!
    Where ever Dick is now..I hope there is always music. In my heart New years eve will for ever be ” Dick Clarks Rockin New years” For the rest of my life that night now BELONGS to him. Thats how I choose to honor his life.

  8. He gave us just what we needed back then – music, dance and a kindred spirit.
    Would the country have integrated without Dick Clark?

  10. Gulag – peace be upon you, as they say. Stop by when you can. We’ll be thinking of you.

  11. Gulag – Both my parents have passed on, and they were surrounded in their final hours by family. It’s the last gift we can give. I only hope when my time comes, my children are there to ease the passing. My thoughts and wishes are with you, friend.

  12. Levon Helm just passed away, too. Bummer.

    For some weird reason, I’ve had “The Weight” stuck in my head all week. It’s just that kind of song. He was just that kind of musician.

  13. Gulag…a million hugs from Iowa..I am so sorry . As Maha said, we sit with you today. I want you to know how lucky you are to have had parents and family. Not all of us are lucky enough to have had that. Think of all the holidays and wonderful memories you have shared with family and treasure them forever. Some of us never had any.

    You have friends here and I am willing to bet you have a lot more people who think your awesome too in your everday life. Your smart, quick wit makes me smile and then it makes me think.If all the people who comment here got together for a party you would be the life of it to be sure!

    Your Dad has much to be proud of and it seems to me he did a pretty fine job given the you I have come to know from here over the years. I have to admit, this group of people makes me realize how much better I would have been had I been lucky enough to have parents like ya’ll. Try during this painful time to focus on all you have gained from your relationship with your family over the years instead of what you’ve lost.I would be willing to bet if you added it all up the good would far out weigh your pain. We will lose a good person no doubt, but he left us something better – YOU. I am grateful for that.Everyday your not here you will be missed.

  14. Thanks everyone for your kind words.
    I got about 3 hours of sleep, and just relieved my Mom, so she can sleep.

    Just me,
    Believe me, I’m grateful every day for my parents presence, their love, kindness, and guidance – and have been for 54 years.
    And it’s not the loss so much that you grieve, it’s the end of the good times, with no prospect for any future ones.
    And that there’ll be no more wit and wisdom coming from him. At 86, though, right up until a few days before his birthday back in December, he was as smart and quick-witted a man as anyone could ever to meet – and in pretty good physical shape.

    He’s relatively pain-free as he’s lying in the hospital bed next to me in the living room right now, due to morphine – except when you have to move him to help prevent bedsores, which I have to do now.
    And actually, that’s not that bad – it’s changing his Depends, which we do once or twice a day, depending on need, and changing the bed-linens at the same time, that’s the worst. That’s very painful for him, even if I dose him, as instructed, with enough morphine to knock Keith Richards into a vegetative state
    Well everyone, gotta go.
    And realize that when my Pop passes, we’ll need another Obama voter to replace him.
    He and my Mom were both proud to have voted for him. And so am I!

  15. Sorry, Gulag.
    I know that pain all too well.
    My wife’s mom has just been diagnosed with lung cancer, I’m afraid my wife will be in for some rough times like what you’re going through.

  16. Gulag, I lost my father a few years ago. I think of him often and remember him with love and appreciation. There are many here who understand what you are going through right now. You are not alone.

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