Fairfax, VA. (Top40 Charts/ Dick Clark Productions) - On August 5, 1957, a TV show hit the national airwaves, forever changing the face of broadcasting - and American pop culture. American Bandstand, which originally debuted as a local dance show, went on to become the most influential music entertainment show of its time. It reflected and influenced the music and fashion of generations of teenagers. The show, which aired on Philadelphia's WFIL, was hosted first by Bob Horn and then by Dick Clark. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of American Bandstand's debut, Time Life, through an exclusive arrangement with Dick Clark Productions, is releasing a 12-CD box set, Dick Clark's American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Collection. It highlights 25 years of music (spanning the late '50s to early '80s) from America's longest running music entertainment show. The collection will be introduced in a half hour music show filmed on a re-creation of the Bandstand set, featuring music and videos of the artists and classic clips of the teenage guest audience doing the latest dances on the show. The show will also sell the product. Two popular music icons - Frankie Avalon and Deborah Gibson - will host. The show will air nationally beginning on August 24th to coincide with the collection's official release date.
"I grew up loving '50s and '60s music, so when my label, Atlantic Records, arranged for me to perform on American Bandstand, I was thrilled," remembers Gibson. "I love Dick Clark so when I was asked by Time Life to be a spokesperson for this 50th Anniversary box set, I was equally thrilled and honored. And to host with Frankie Avalon - a living legend - made it even more exciting. Co-hosting this half hour music show promoting this music collection makes me feel like an important part of American pop culture."
For Frankie Avalon appearing on American Bandstand was a high point in his career as well. "Being a part of American Bandstand in 1957 was so exciting," he notes. "I even had the honor of receiving my very first gold record for the song "Venus," from Dick, right on Bandstand. Participating in Time Life's tribute to the show allowed me to relive a time of my life and celebrate the music of my era."
The 12-CD box set features 200 of the greatest pop songs played and performed on Bandstand from the late '50s through early '80s. "This illustrates just how groundbreaking American Bandstand was in its ability to transcend musical genres," added Avalon. The songs featured on the show's trademark "Spotlight Dances" are also included on two CDs, with thirty-four selections from artists such as The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Robert John, The Stylistics, The Temptations, The Delphonics, Diana Ross, The Righteous Bros and Little Anthony and the Imperials to name a few.
American Bandstand was first and foremost a dance show reflecting the country's popular dances. With the eager participation of the teenage guest audiences whose dancing was showcased in every show, Bandstand highlighted great dance songs like The Dovells' "Bristol Stomp," Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time," Chubby Checker's "The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again," Little Eva's "Locomotion" and "The Hustle" by Van McCoy. They danced in the fifties to songs from Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers and Ritchie Valens; in the sixties to songs from The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Herman's Hermits, The Monkees, Petula Clark, Aretha Franklin and The Supremes; in the seventies to songs from Elton John, Abba, Rod Stewart, The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, The Spinners, Chic, and Carly Simon; and on into the 80s to songs from Hall & Oates and Rick Springfield.
In spite of the social upheaval and cultural change that marked the period the show aired, American Bandstand continued to put a positive face on the music that spoke to each succeeding generation of teenagers. The Bandstand collection takes you from the burgeoning rock and roll of Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson and Little Richard, on to the British Invasion sounds of Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Animals. It also takes you through the psychedelic flower power and folk rock of Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds and Donovan, then into the Disco phenomenon with Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor and KC and The Sunshine Band. The journey continues with the pop stylings of Barry Manilow and Debbie Boone. Dick Clark's American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Collection is simply the most comprehensive and historical record of the music that served as a soundtrack for so many lives.
Dick Clark's American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Collection is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Dick Clark Productions. Supplementing the music in the set is a bonus DVD capturing Clark's signature interviews with ten artists who effectively represent the epitome of pop stardom that American Bandstand captured across the decades: Bobby Darin, Frankie Avalon, Sam Cooke, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Doors, Donna Summer and Madonna.
Dick Clark's American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Collection will be available at www.timelife.com/americanbandstand or by calling toll free 888-855-4776.
