SAD, SAD DAY

I am putting up my favorite picture of Dick Clark. It's a very sad day for those of us who loved American Bandstand and its host Dick Clark. I believe it was one of the longest running shows on TV, if not the longest. I have to do my research, but you get the picture...he has been in the lives of many teenagers from 1957 onward. And we can't forget that he has also been in New York to watch the ball drop on New Years Eve for so many years. I am sure there is sadness in many a home right now. I have had more mail than usual today because of this milestone in history and some news media have contacted me like CBS News Radio. I learned rather late in the day today (around 4:30 p.m.) that he had died and I was stunned, even though we all knew his health had been precarious for some time. My local friend Nina Nieves, who has been a friend of the Early AB Tribute went over to Hollywood, California today and put flowers on Dick Clark's star on The Walk of Fame and she commented she had never seen so many people crying publicly. When CBS News Radio talked with me, one of the questions they asked was what the reaction of people has been so far and I commented on that in particular and that I have had heavier e-mail and calls than usual. May we all take some moments of silence in tribute to Dick Clark and I want to personally extend my deepest sympathy to Kari Clark and the family. We will all miss Dick Clark. He was clearly a staple in my life since 1957. I grew up with him on TV. I hope to be able to go to Hollywood tomorrow and maybe I can get some pictures. Nina may be able to go with me. It should be noted that the news media who contacted me asked about Carole Scaldeferri and mentioned the song dedicated to her by Neil Sedaka. They particularly wanted to talk to Carole as soon as possible and I hope she will be able to do so. I have called her back, as she called me earlier in the day and said she had some sad news to tell me but didn't say what and then I heard it from my husband who watches the news much more than I do. I did get to see a tribute at the end of HARDBALL hosted by Chris Matthews on MSNBC on cable TV, who was a Philly boy himself. I thought it very nice. I believe my fave photo here was taken from a vintage PHOTOPLAY magazine. Dick Clark used to have articles from time to time in that magazine. This is how I will always see him--or the vision of him at the podium in the Early Days of American Bandstand. - Marsha