American Bandstand: Dick Clark and the Making of a Rock 'n' Roll Empire

By John A. Jackson

Book Overview

"I don't make culture, I sell it" Dick Clark once remarked. Indeed, the man who reigned as host of American Bandstand for nearly four decades may not have invented rock 'n' roll, but he sold it to the American public better than anyone before or since. Before Clark, rock 'n' roll was the step child of radio--which took to playing records as a cost-saving measure after television siphoned off radios most lucrative sponsors. But it was network television--and specifically Clarks Bandstand--that ultimately legitimized what was then viewed by most adults as vulgar, low-class music, broadcasting a sanitized vision of rock 'n' roll straight into Americas living rooms five afternoons a week.
Here is the first book to tell the full story of what happened in front of--and behind--the cameras on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, providing both a history of this landmark show and of the changing styles of rock 'n' roll over four decades. Based on extensive interviews with music business figures, recording stars, and Clark himself, and featuring dozens of rare or never before published photographs, this is a riveting and uncensored account of a show that managed to survive countless revolutions in popular music. Jackson describes Bandstands humble beginnings in Philadelphias blue collar south side, the sex scandal that scuttled the first host of Bandstand and enabled Clark to launch his career, the glory days when an appearance on Bandstand was one of the most prized gigs in the music business and when teenagers lined up for blocks hoping to enter the studio, and memorable Bandstand appearances by rock 'n' roll royalty from Chubby Checker and Frankie Avalon, to Jerry Lee Lewis and Jefferson Airplane, to Pink Floyd and Madonna. Here as well is a candid look at the backstage financial maneuvering that allowed Clark to launch a video and entertainment empire worth nearly $200 million dollars today. Voted Most Likely To Sell The Brooklyn Bridge by his high school classmates, Clark emerges as a cunning business impresario determined to make millions. Readers learn how Clark decided which eager young singers would appear on the show, how he managed to survive a 1959 Congressional payola investigation that destroyed the careers of many other popular disc jockeys, how much money he earned from his personal financial investments in many of the songs played on Bandstand, and his importance to ABC in its fledgling days as a national television network.
As entertaining as it is eye-opening, Dick Clark's American Bandstand will bring back a flood of memories to everyone who lived through that era. It will fascinate everyone interested in popular American culture or in rock 'n' roll history.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195093232
• ISBN13: 9780195093230
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.1" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The Best Book On Bandstand

Mr. Jackson, with whom I have spoken, has presented his facts well and in quite readable form. This is not a fluff piece, or romantic novel. It is an academic work on a period few have explored to this depth. Personally, he is right on the payola bucks money-facts and the behind the scenes power plays. His research was extensive. His finished product supports that.

The definitive historical and critical study of Bandstand

Jackson's book is published by a top-flight academic press, and that should warn off readers hoping for a snappy, picture-laden bit of nostalgic hagiography (for that, see Dick Clark's own book, coauthored with Fred Bronson, replete with pictures and even, as the cover declares, a "Nifty Dance Poster Inside!"). What Jackson gives us is a deeply researched, thoughtful, and judicious history of the show and its implications. There are numerous divergences from common wisdom here-- most notable is Jackson's read on the so-called "integration" of Bandstand, which he treats with nuance and sophistication. References to obscure tunes and performers indicate that Jackson is surely one of those legendary record-collector enthusiasts; it shows in his footnotes but not, blessedly, in the text itself. Instead, the book gives us a closely observed history of the pop music business and one of its most important institutions.

A Must Read For Any Oldies Fan

This is the ultimate book on one of the early major Rock n Roll shows. Every detail you could possibly want to know about American Bandstand is in here. From the early days in Philadelphia, to the Dick Clark payola scandal, to the move to California, this book covers it. It also discuss the discrimination that existed, and how the regulars became celebrities. I really enjoyed and would recomend it to any fan of the fifties and sixties

Musical "Philadelphia Story" Retold in "Bandstand" Bio

In his history of Dick Clark and "American Bandstand," John Jackson had his choice of several stories. He could tell of Clark's ascension to the "Bandstand" podium at a strategic time, hooking Clark, his host network (ABC), and host city (Philadelphia) to pop culture prominence. Jackson could chronicle the city's fast-moving music scene, the teen singers, disc jockeys, and businessmen (Clark among them) who exploited the new music. Finally, he could tell the show's own 32-year story, as "Bandstand" led, followed, then rehashed youth culture.Despite factual errors (putting "All You Need Is Love" on "Sgt. Pepper" shows as much Beatle knowledge as Jackson claimed Clark had) and unneeded 60s-70s rehash, Jackson's biography adddresses its subjects accurately and engagingly. Jackson sees Clark not as money-grubbing villain but driven, opportunistic businessman who "within the bounds of propriety - followed the dollar wherever it took him." Clark fought to cult!ivate, keep, and wield a pleasant national image to his advantage. Jackson succeeds most in showing how that image served, even saved Clark's career. Clark's soft-spoken, "nice guy" image eased the transition from the scandalous, tragic tenure of original "Bandstand" host Bob Horn. It softened and widened (some said, despite Clark's objections, "whitened") rock and roll's ease into daily life and the youth buying power enjoining it. Mostly, it masked the clear-eyed, hard-charging figure who not only stood up to federal regulators and network bosses, but parlayed his "Bandstand" success into music-related (torn by 1959-60's "payola" scandal, covered in depth here despite little Clark participation), then rebuilt into complete media-based success.Fans of early rock will enjoy Jackson's musical side trips. He looks at the "Bandstand" dancers' quick fame, the synergy and rivalry between the show, Philadelphia promoters, and disc jockeys, the rise of small record labels whi!ch (with Clark's involvement throughout) recorded national hits (Jackson tells fresh versions of the making of "At The Hop" and "The Twist"), and, finally, Clark's move to California which closed Philly music dominance (and, to believe Jackson, did little for "Bandstand," either). Figures like musician Charlie Gracie, producer Tony Mammarella, and songwriters Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe, today unknown outside Philadelphia music, are remembered either as villain or victim. The last chapters, describing Clark's adjusting the "Bandstand" image to changing musical times, are among the book's most intriguing.The result makes "American Bandstand" unflinching, unfawning yet high-minded critique that Clark, generally no friend of critics, could support. The epilogue essays Clark's motivations, how he achieved and maintained fame and riches yet still promotes, produces, and hosts. Jackson concludes that it's what Clark enjoys doing and does best. That, and the dearth of harsh word!s for Clark by anyone in the book, makes this an incisive, fun

A critical yet fair account of one of TV's legends

John A. Jackson's book is the most revealing piece written at length about 'American Bandstand' and the man who made it tick. Jackson comes off as tough on Clark for the way the host rationalized making records and managing talent while playing that talent's work on the air. And while Clark has promoted himself and his show as a trailblazer, Jacksons research shows 'Bandstand' as much more follower than leader. Yet in the end Jackson gives the show and its longtime host-producer their due for the pivotal role both played in furthering rock as a linchpin of American music. Neither a PR vehicle nor a mantra for Clark-bashers, Jackson's book is cultural criticism at its best, with the writer knowing how to get out of the way of his subject.