Musicians and entertainers from all genres and several generations took to Twitter to express their sadness over the passing of legendary radio and television personality Dick Clark. Artists whose careers have spanned decades and whose careers were boosted by Clark’s various media holdings, along with younger acts who grew up watching his shows and New Year’s specials felt the loss and shared their feelings. The social network saw thousands of tributes, here are some tributes (along with some issued as “statements” to the press).
Smokey Robinson was an artist on Motown Records, as well as the Vice President and one of the founders of the record company, and Clark’s American Bandstand helped to give exposure to several acts on the label.
I loved Dick Clark. He was so instrumental in my career as well as all the other Motown acts and so many others… fb.me/1fDviRFwh
— Smokey Robinson (@smokey_robinson) April 18, 2012
Ann Wilson of Heart was part of the generation who experienced rock and roll on TV via American Bandstand.
Back in the 1960s the pop culture catchphrase was “Never trust anyone over 30″. Dick Clark was trustworthy all the way home. Rock on Sir! AW
— Heart (@officialheart) April 18, 2012
Dick Clark is most closely associated with rock and roll, but standards singer Tony Bennett tweeted that Clark supported his more traditional music.
Dick Clark was a great guy and one of the first people to play my records.He will be missed.
— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) April 18, 2012
Shock-rocker Alice Cooper, a long time friend and supporter, posted his thoughts about Dick Clark on his website: “I used to come home from elementary school to watch American Bandstand. It had all the new songs, all the new dances, and it had the happiest guy in the world presenting them to you. I had no idea that later in my career I would know Dick Clark on a professional level.” Cooper then tweeted a photo of a thank you letter Clark sent him, after Alice hosted Clark’s American Music Awards.
Just dug this personal letter to Alice Cooper from Dick Clark out of the Alice Cooper Archives.#RIPDickClark twitter.com/RealAliceCoope…
— Alice Cooper (@RealAliceCooper) April 19, 2012
The Jackson 5 performed on American Bandstand, and Michael Jackson did as well, early in his solo career. Janet Jackson tweeted about Clark:
Dick Clark changed the face of musical television. He was wonderful to many artists including our family. We will miss him. God bless.
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) April 18, 2012
R&B singer Anita Baker pointed out that Clark gave a national platform to artists of all genres.
He opened the door wide enough to let ALL the MUSIC come thru. Thank You. Dick Clark …r.i.p.
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) April 19, 2012
Younger artists from heavy metal, hip-hop and country music also weighed in:
RIP Dick Clark. For so many of us, you set the standard for music, radio and business.
— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) April 19, 2012
Dick Clark. A Great Philadelphian. Thank You Very Much!
— Questo of The Roots (@questlove) April 18, 2012
REST IN PEACE to the DICK CLARK!! U were pioneer n a good man!! Thank u sir
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) April 18, 2012
So proud I had the chance to shake hands with Dick Clark in my lifetime… Great man..
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) April 18, 2012
My heart goes out to Dick Clark’s family.What a life.Thank you for all you did, and your friendship. Now go get the music rockin’ in heaven.
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 19, 2012
A number of broadcasters tweeted their respect to the man who revolutionized the profession: Caron Daly, a TV and radio host from AMP in Los Angeles, who was close with Clark (and had a New Year’s TV special that rivaled Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve) offered this statement: “We lost an icon today. I will always cherish the personal time we had together. I am forever indebted to Dick Clark and his legacy. My heart goes out to his family.”
Danny Bonaduce from KZOK in Seattle offered this on the station’s website: “My mother and father were great friends with Dick Clark, so I’ve actually known him since before I was born. My grandfather gave him his very first job. It was on the radio in Philadelphia. Dick Clark gave me my first job when I was 2 years old in a television commercial. We stayed in contact for his entire life. People always remember his talent, but I will always remember his loyalty. I will also remember the fact that he beat me at a push-up contest when he was 74 years old. He was much loved and will be missed.” He tweeted an abridged version:
You may remember Dick Clark as the world’s oldest living teenager. I’ll remember him as the man who beat me in a pushup contest – he was 74.
— Danny Bonaduce (@TheDoochMan) April 18, 2012
Ryan Seacrest is another broadcaster who owes a debt to Clark, and he tweeted:
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.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) April 18, 2012
Finally, President Obama offered the following statement: “Michelle and I are saddened to hear about the passing of Dick Clark. With American Bandstand, he introduced decades’ worth of viewers to the music of our times. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer. And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year. But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel — as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final ‘so long’ to Dick Clark, America’s oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends — which number far more than he knew.”
–Brian Ives, CBS Local
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