American Bandstand

American Bandstand was a live dance music television show. It premiered locally as Bandstand on Philadelphia television station WFIL on October 7, 1952 in "Studio 'B'", which was located in their just-completed addition to the original 1947 building (4548 Market Street), and was hosted by Bob Horn. On July 9, 1956, Horn, following a drunk driving arrest, was replaced by Dick Clark. The show was picked up by ABC on August 5, 1957 after some badgering from Clark to the network to put the show on nationally, broadcasting daily (first live, then on kinescope when Clark went on tour with the singers) until 1963 and then airing weekly until 1989.

Trivia

It was customary on the show to have Clark perform a mini-interview with the guest band members. Clark says the most difficult interview he performed was with Prince, an unknown at the time of his appearance. Prince was unresponsive and would generally only answer his questions with a hand gesture or a single word.

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Another famous mini-interview Clark is famous for is with Madonna, who, when asked what she would like to do 20 years from now, she answered coyishly: To rule the world.

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B.B. King is the only recording artist to actually sing on the program. King was uncomfortable with miming his performance and requested that he could just perform the songs live on the set.

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