American Bandstand host and producer Dick Clark has died at the age of 82.
The host of the long-running pop music show, which ran for four decades until 1989, suffered a heart attack yesterday in an outpatient care facility in Santa Monica, California.
Clark is credited with bringing rock music to the masses and transforming the music industry, while showcasing up-and-coming talents of modern-day legends such as Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina, Talking Heads and Simon and Garfunkel.
Bored with the New Year's festivities, Clark decided to spruce up the annual event by hosting Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve which ran in Times Square, New York for almost 40 years, with Clark hosting the event almost every year.
Clark's health took a dip in 2004 when he suffered a stroke. Regis Philbin filled in for his New Year's show, and Ryan Seacrest co-hosted the show with Clark from 2004 onwards.
Clark with friend and co-host Ryan Seacrest
Seacrest posted on his Twitter account "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life". Seacrest also took a moment last night at the beginning of a live American Idol episode to remember Clark, stating that "without Dick Clark, a show like this would never exist".
Tributes have poured in for the late host, with many celebrities taking to social media to air their condolences. Broadcaster Larry King said "Dick Clark was a great friend, true legend, & a master journalist. Nobody did what he did better. It was a pleasure to be in his company" while New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said "Dick Clark's spirit will always live on in Times Square & the hearts of millions of New Yorkers".
