American Bandstand began as a local program in Philadelphia in 1952.
Then it was called Bob Horn's Bandstand. In July of 1956 the show got a new host, a clean-cut 26 year old named Dick Clark.
When ABC picked the show up, it was renamed American Bandstand, airing it's first national show on August 5, 1957.
Dancing was a major feature of Bandstand.
The kids who showed up every day (Bandstand aired every weekday afternoon for the first six years) knew all the most popular steps.
The Slop. The Hand Jive. The Bop. They even invented a few - the Stroll, the Circle and the Chalypso.
American Bandstand became the springboard for launching the careers of most of Rock's early stars.
Among them: Bill Haley and the Comets, Buddy Holly, Connie Francis, Bobby Darin, Fabian and Ritchie Valens.
Dick Cark was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Richard W. Clark was born November 11, 1929.
He entered the music business as a sales manager for an upstate New York radio station at age seventeen.
In 1952, Clark began doing a radio show "Caravan of Music" at WFIL in Philadelphia. The station's TV affiliate had a teen-oriented show called Bandstand which was hosted by Bob Horn. Taking over the reins in July of 1956, Dick Clark turned American Bandstand into a national institution.
Many of the Bandstanders have shared their memories for a documentary called "Bandstand Days." It's release is scheduled to coincide with the August 5, 1997 celebration of the 40th Anniversary of American Bandstand.
Justine Carrelli has written a screenplay called "It Wasn't All Dancing." It concerns her days as an Original Bandstander, her romance with Bob Clayton and the difficulties they all faced when "AB" was abruptly over for them. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Woody Neel Bosco.
So, for 40 years you've wanted to talk to Justine Carrelli. Here's your chance to say "hello" and share a Bandstand memory.
E-mail Justine Carrelli at : legends57@aol.com
Justine's Web Address : http://www.originalbandstander.com/
Kathleen "Bunny" Gibson nows lives in Marina Del Rey, California.
She divides her time between her acting and modeling career, aiding the homeless, and preserving the memorabilia of The Regulars of Bandstand.
Bob Clayton and his wife own gift boutiques in Wilmington, Delaware.
Pat Molittieri, sadly, had a heart attack and passed way when she was only 30 years old.
Kenny Rossi owns a construction business in Philadelphia.
Carmen Jimenez lives in Philadelphia.
Arlene Sullivan lives in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Here are the Number One Songs this week in Chicago during the 50's ( Week of August 1 )
*1957 - Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
*1958 - Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
*1959 - Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
Here are the Top Ten Tunes in Chicago on August 1, 1958:
1.Poor Little Fool-Ricky Nelson
2.Patricia-Perez Prado
3.When-Kalin Twins
4.Rebel-'Rouser-Duane Eddy
5.Endless Sleep-Jody Reynolds
6.Ginger Bread-Frankie Avalon
7.Splish Splash-Bobby Darin
8.Little Star-Elegants
9.Born Too Late-Poni-Tails
10.Fever-Peggy Lee
The Everly Brothers sing "Wake Up Little Susie" on the "Ed Sullivan Show", 8/4/1957.
Billy Williams and the Chordettes star on the first "American Bandstand" (broadcast nationally) this day, 8/5/1957.
Paul Anka makes his TV debut on "American Bandstand", 8/7/1957.
The 50's sessions
1953
My happiness
That's when your heartaches begin
1954
I'll Never Stand in Your Way
July 5-6
I love you because
That's all right, mama
Harbor lights
Blue moon of Kentucky
August 19
Blue moon
September
Tomorrow night
I'll never let you go (little darlin')
I don't care if the sun don't shine
Just because
Good rockin' tonight
November or December
Milkcow blues boogie
You're a heartbreaker
December 18
Tweedle dee
1955
February 5
Baby, let's play house
March 5
I'm left, you're right, she's gone
July 11
I forgot to remember to forget
Mystery train
Tryin' to get to you
August or October
When it rains, it really pours
Unknown
Fool, fool, fool
Shake, rattle and roll
1956
January 10-11
I got a woman
Heartbreak Hotel
Money honey
I'm countin' on you
I was the one
January 28
Shake, rattle and roll/ Flip, flop and fly
I got a woman
January 30-31 +
February 3
Blue suede shoes
My baby left me
One-sided love affair
So glad you're mine
I'm gonna sit right down and cry (over you)
Tutti Frutti
Lawdy miss Clawdy
Shake, rattle and roll
February 4
Baby, let's play house
Tutti Frutti
February 11
Blue suede shoes
Heartbreak Hotel
February 18
Tutti Frutti
I was the one
March 17
Blue suede shoes
Heartbreak Hotel
March 24
Money honey
Heartbreak Hotel
April 3
Heartbreak Hotel
Blue suede shoes
Blue suede shoes (reprise)
April 11
I want you, I need you, I love you
May 6
Heartbreak Hotel
Long tall Sally
Blue suede shoes
Money honey
June 5
Hound dog
I want you, I need you, I love you
July 1
I want you, I need you, I love you
Hound dog
July 2
Hound dog
Don't be cruel
Anyway you want me
August, September and October
Love me tender
We're gonna move
Poor boy
Let me
September 1-3
Playing for keeps
Love me
Paralyzed
How do you think I feel
How's the world treating you?
When my blue moon turns to gold again
Long tall Sally
Old Shep
Too much
Anyplace is paradise
Ready Teddy
First in line
Rip it up
September 9
Don't be cruel
Love me tender
Ready Teddy
Hound dog
September 26
Afternoon
Heartbreak Hotel
Long tall Sally
I was the one
I want you, I need you, I love you
I got a woman
Don't be cruel
Ready Teddy
Love me tender
Hound dog
Evening
Love me tender
I was the one
I got a woman
Don't be cruel
Blue suede shoes
Baby, let's play house
Hound dog
October 28
Don't be cruel
Love me tender
Love me
Hound dog
December 9 (?)
You belong to my heart
When God dips His love in my heart
Just a little talk with Jesus
Jesus walked that lonesome valley
I shall not be moved
(There will be) Peace in the valley (for me)
Down by the riverside
I'm with a crowd but oh so alone
Farther along
Blessed Jesus hold my hand
As we travel along the Jericho road
I just can't make it by myself
Little cabin on the hill
Summertime is past and gone
I hear a sweet voice calling
Sweetheart you done me wrong
Keeper of the key (Carl Perkins)
Crazy arms
Don't forbid me
Too much monkey business
Brown eyed handsome man
Out of sight, out of mind
Brown eyed handsome man
Don't be cruel
Paralyzed
There's no place like home
When the saints go marchin' in
Softly and tenderly
Is it so strange
That's when your heartaches begin
Rip it up
I'm gonna bid my blues goodbye
Crazy arms
That's my desire (Jerry Lee Lewis)
End of the road (Jerry Lee Lewis)
Black bottom stomp (Jerry Lee Lewis)
You're the only star in my blue heaven
Reconsider baby
1957
January 6
Hound dog
Love me tender
Heartbreak Hotel,p. Don't be cruel
Too much
When my blue moon turns to gold again
(There will be) Peace in the valley (for me)
January 12-13
I believe
Tell me why
Got a lot o' livin' to do
All shook up
Mean woman blues
(There will be) Peace in the valley (for me)
I beg of you
That's when your heartaches begin
Take my hand precious Lord
January 15-18, 21-22 and February 14
Party
Mean woman blues
Hot dog
Lonesome cowboy
Loving you
Got a lot o' livin' to do
January 19
It is no secret (what God can do)
Blueberry hill
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Is it so strange
January 24
Teddy bear
One night of sin
February 23-24
Don't leave me now
I beg of you
One night
True love
I need you so
Loving you
When it rains, it really pours
April 30
Jailhouse rock
Young and beautiful
Treat me nice
I want to be free
Don't leave me now
(You're so square,) Baby I don't care
September 5-7
Treat me nice
My wish came true
Blue Christmas
White Christmas
Here comes Santa Claus (right down Santa Claus Lane)
Silent night
Don't
O little town of Bethlehem
Santa bring my baby back to me
Santa Claus is back in town
I'll be home for Christmas
1958
January 15,16 and 23
Danny
Hard headed woman
Trouble
New Orleans
King Creole
Crawfish
Dixieland rock
Lover doll
Don't ask me why
As long as I have you
Young dreams
Steadfast, loyal and true
February 1
My wish came true
Doncha' think it's time
Your cheatin' heart
Wear my ring around your neck
June 10-11
I need your love tonight
A big hunk o' love
Ain't that loving you baby
(Now and then there's) A fool such as I
I got stung
UNKNOWN
Danny boy
Soldier boy
The fool
Earth angel
He's only a prayer away