, True love When cute young teenagers Arlene Sullivan and Kenny Rossi slow danced together on American Bandstand back in the late 50s and early 60s, kids across the country swooned. For a time, she dated a neighborhood boy, Danny Rapp, lead singer of Danny & the Juniors, who had the hit song At the Hop., I was so afraid that I started trying to talk myself into being straight, Sullivan says. She knew Chubby Checker and Fabian from South Philadelphia High School. Dick Clark Productions is credited as the show's co-producer, and longtime employee Allen Shapiro serves as co-executive producer. She acknowledges that some of the other girls she knew on the show were also gay. [4] Ray Smith, Dancing on Air, in Arlene Sullivan, Ray Smith, and Sharon Sultan Cutler, eds.,Bandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963(Chicago: Cony Island Press, 2019), 35. One market not telecasting Bandstand was Baltimore, Maryland, as local affiliate WAAM (now WJZ-TV) elected to produce a local dance show in the same afternoon time slot. Regardless, the music historian John Jackson calls it the gravest crisis in his professional career.1, At all events, the payola hearings spurred action by Congress. "[5] In one humorous segment broadcast for years on retrospective shows, comedians Cheech and Chong appeared as the record raters. He still had that in him until the evening before he passed away. Bandstand Diaries shares some public information and photos about Frani (page 84). He promoted the couples on the show to mask the fact that so many guys were gay.5. We've received your submission. SaturdayBandstandretained the proven format of the now defunct weekday show, but it sustained a crucial loss of spontaneity as a result of being taped instead of shown live. Like the white homeowners associations' concerns about property values, WFIL's version of defensive localism built on a belief that integration would hurt the station's investment in Bandstand. . Dick Clark, wherever you are, we miss you. I'm David Hirsch and, on behalf of American Bandstand, I bid you, for the last time, goodbye. "For all those who knew her throughout her life and for those who watched her dance on American Bandstand, Carole was full of love and full of God. My parents were always there for me. Her husband, Richard Spada, said Mrs. Spada was recovering from a minor stroke she had suffered earlier when she became ill on the way to church. . Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 03:03, The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show, Top of newscast salutes to Clark deserved, "Did the Beatles kill America's radio stars? . They joined Arlenes and Kennys fan clubs. BUT he was out for Clark., Sullivan claims there were four other popular girl dancers on the show whom she knew to be lesbians, and they hung out together. Those "American Bandstand" days were the best for all of us teenagers who followed the program, the regulars, the dances, the performers, etc. From 1969 to 1974, "Bandstand Theme", a synthesized rock instrumental written by Mike Curb, opened each show. However unethical his behavior may have been, his federal income tax records seemed to be in order. I was trying to hit them over their heads with my pocketbook, but they just wouldnt give up. I never had a crush on her. In fact, it was dangerous. Jerry Oppenheimer is a best-selling author. . Determined, Don got Bunnys number from one of the regulars and he met his dream girl. Bunny and Duke met several months ago and now are married. Both were ratings disasters. The Philadelphia way Were goin drop in (Drop!) The rest is American Bandstand history. Michael Jackson, a frequent Bandstand guest, performed "After that, it was history.". But we were like a little family together, and we all had something in common, and we all stuck together, and that made it easier for us.. We sent some 15,000 fan letters each week. In March of 1970 we moved to New Jersey. The show was American Bandstand, and Dick Clarks clean-cut style meant the program had parents stamp of approval. and they put a drinking cup in front of him and said, This is your cup, and youre the only one who will use this cup. One friend of mine was kicked out of the house.. Bandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963 shares the fascinating story of how Dick Clark's American Bandstand and its millions of viewers catapulted its teenage dancers (called "the Regulars") to fame. Forget that. And while Smith knew he was gay, he was shocked to learn that most of the guys on Bandstand, so many of them, were gay, he told The Post. What they didnt know was that Arlene and several of the other female dancers, and most of the handsome teen boys, were gay. I was trying to hit them over their heads with my pocketbook, but they just wouldnt give up. REGULARS Gallery 3. The kids who showed up every day (Bandstand aired every weekday afternoon for the first six years) knew all the most popular steps. When cute young teenagers Arlene Sullivan and Kenny Rossi slow danced together on "American Bandstand" back in the late '50s and early '60s, kids across the country swooned. In 1988, the National Park Service listed 4548 Market Street on the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Joyce Shafer talks about herself and her dance partner, Norman Kerr, Norman was one of a kind, always making people laugh. In front of the camera, Clark called the shots. Colanero danced from 1959 to 1961. One show from this first season (December 18, 1957, identified as the "Second National Telecast") is preserved in the archives of Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications. Back in July, I received a most endearing email from Duke which told of his experiences in life. The Saturday show would run until 1960. Finally, we got away and jumped over the turnstile. Steve Colanero, 66, a West Philadelphia transplant in Palm Beach, Fla., posted on Facebook a picture from the 1980s of himself with Clark. Clark now eyed California as where the action is. And in February 1964 Clark moved to Los Angeles, where it would continue until 1989, though lacking its West Philadelphia spontaneity. I said, In that case, Im staying. I was shocked. In other parts of the country, if you were a gay kid growing up, you were probably the only one in town who was gay, Sullivan said. Carole Ann Scaldeferri Spada, 70, of Newtown Square, a regular dancer on American Bandstand from 1957 to 1961, has died. That really annoyed me, said Smith, Because quite a few of the Philadelphia dancers on Bandstand died of AIDS., According to Brancaccio, Clark didnt want racial integration on his show either. This version was canceled after 26 weeks, and its final show (with The Cover Girls performing "My Heart Skips a Beat" and "We Can't Go Wrong") aired on October 7, 1989,[37] thus ending the show's 37-year run.[38][39]. American Bandstand only allowed dancers from 14 to 18. This version introduced lyrics written by Manilow and Bruce Sussman, referencing elements of the series. GALLERY 4. He retained his youthful looks through the 1980s, burnishing his reputation as Americas Oldest Living Teenager. Dick Clark died at age 82 in Santa Monica. It preceded The Guy Mitchell Show. While the American series has aired sixteen seasons, its format was also replicated worldwide, from Norway (Dansefeber) to Australia (So You Think You Can Dance Australia). I hope you've had a good half-hour. I have a Champion Samoyed show dog. He kept his distance, she says. "He made me feel that if you want something in life, you have to be serious about it.". Unsure and fearful about her true sexual identity, Sullivan tried passing as straight. His latest book, The Kardashians: An American Drama, will be published in September. Finally, we got away and jumped over the turnstile. For More Bunny click here to go to Bunny Gibson.com, Bunny Gibson discusses the 50th celebration of American Bandstand. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They also reported on the careers and whereabouts of many of the other regulars and several of the shows musical guests. Of Clarks behind-the-scenes behavior at Studio B, Ray Smith writes unsparingly: The irony about Clark is that he was not the goody-two-shoes he projected: he smoked, cursed, and for a while teetered on the edge of alcoholism. Soul Unlimited was not well-received among its target audience of African-Americans, ostensibly due to its being created by a white man (Clark), and because of its alleged usage of deliberately racial overtones despite this fact. One young performer was dangled down an elevator shaft. ", In a Time.com obituary for Dick Clark, who died April 18, 2012, a reporter wrote: "Lou DeSera, Carmen Jimenez, Carole Scaldeferri, Rosemarie 'Little Roe' DiCristo: they may sound like characters on The Sopranos, but they were just ordinary kids, with extraordinary luck of being in Philadelphia at the moment the old town lit the fuse for the rock explosion.". We only had three channels in those days. Norman passed away on December 6, 1990. In August 1963, ABC reassigned American Bandstand to Saturday afternoon. Don Cornelius, the creator and host of Soul Train, along with Jesse Jackson, entered into a dispute with Clark over this upstart program, and it was canceled within a few weeks. When she heard the news of Clark's death Wednesday, Gibson immediately headed to Hollywood to be with other former Bandstand regulars at Clark's star on the Walk of Fame. . And he has the one criteria required to attract Bunny Gibson. Some of the stories I heard are heartbreaking, Sullivan recalls. The program that preceded Dick Clarks American Bandstand at WFIL-TV was deejay Bob Horns locally popular Bandstand. A Midlothian-based freelance writer, Martha Steger has received national awards for her journalism, essays, short fiction and poetry. However, advertisers do to enable personalized ads. Dick Clark never played either song on American Bandstand. Although the Regulars didnt perform in the South, Sullivans memory of a personal visit to Fort Worth, Texas, stuck with her: My friend Barbara [a fellow Regular] and I were visiting Barbaras friend there. The American Bandstand Regulars tell us what Studio B means to them today and yesterday, with special guest appearance by the American Bandstand Fan Club pre. The 50 record albums are packed away for safekeeping., Normans passing But this one was different. . unsold game show pilots). Sullivan, 74, wrote Diaries with Ray Smith, another dancer who was closeted during his Bandstand years. Artists would sing naturally to the studio audience over a background of their own disc, while viewers at home would hear only the original recording. //-->. Millions of kids from Brooklyn to Beverly Hills ran home from school every weekday to watch them dance, imitate their styles and fantasize about their lives. "Dick Clark introduced records, and the camera followed teenagers as they selected partners to dance," writes historian Matthew Delmont. Yes, yes, I know. The combined impact of Bandstand's move to California and the Beatles' arrival devastated Cameo-Parkway and inflicted permanent damage to the artists signed to the label.[9]. They even invented a few the Stroll, the Circle and the Chalypso. "I kissed a girl, and I liked it!. This first national broadcast of American Bandstand was filmed in the Starlight Ballroom in Wildwood, NJ. News Shows You want to know about the guy! Special Features: This historical marker recalls Dick Clarks American Bandstand, which was broadcast from West Philadelphia from 1957 to 1964. Delmont, Matthew F. (September 30, 2014). In 2019, a trio of formerAmerican Bandstandregulars assembled a book on their experiences on the popular show. Teenagers and young adults ran home from school to watch them jitterbug and stroll while they copied their fashions, fads and dance moves. In the wake of the quiz show scandal, however, a subcommittee of the House of Representatives set up hearings to determine if the practice should be made illegal. When ABC picked up the game show Do You Trust Your Wife? Give me some Thumbs UP!This is Bunny Gibson and the American Bandstand Regulars live at Sesame Park outside of Philadelphia on July 21, 1997 as recorded by OnlineTV.com and Rick Siegel.The Regulars were there to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of American Bandstand and the parties were relentless as were the memories. The young dancers on American Bandstand were the reality stars of the 1950s and '60skids nationwide rushed home to watch their every move and chatter about their relationships and exploits. The Bop. Then it was hosted by Bob Horn and was called Bob Horns Bandstand.On July 9 of 1956 the show got a new host, a clean-cut 26 year old named Dick Clark. Give me some Thumbs UP!This is Bunny Gibson and the American Bandstand Regulars live at Sesame Park outside of Philadelphia on July 21,. LGBT identities were hidden on the shows dancefloor. 8-9; quote from unpaginated photo section. The program was permanently shot in color starting on September 9, 1967. The other reason was that American Bandstand was pre-empted on many occasions by televised college football games (which expanded greatly in number in the wake of a court-ordered deregulation in 1984) which were becoming huge ratings successes, as well as occasional special presentations (i.e. He will never forget one of his first days on Bandstand. So fearful of the kids real behavior, [Clark] imposed a strict dress code: jackets and ties for boys, and nothing tight for girls. Mixed REGULARS Galleries. The shows were usually produced in either Stage 54 or Stage 55 at ABC Television Center. Sullivan was almost 14, the required age for the show, when she became a Regular. ", California residents do not sell my data request. Dancing with the American Bandstand Stars Fundraiser, July 15, 2009 Black & White/Color (9/9/1967), Dick Clarks first day as host: 7/9/1956 And then they leave the show, go up on the El, go home to their neighborhoods, they then had to run to their door because somebody was always waiting there to beat them up.. The increase in competition hurt Bandstand and the variety of options for music on TV decreased its relevance. American Bandstand will be back someday, I assure you. We were like sisters. Browse 1,010 american bandstand dancers stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. One night at a party I met a girl who was one of the stars on American Bandstand I was blown away.. Thats all we did dance and every part of the city had its own style. He needed a group to show up every day, she says, and nobody got paid. By clicking Consent you are authorizing advertisers to collect information to personalize the ads you see. This story has been shared 115,637 times. We each won a HI-FI, and 50 record albums. In addition to his other ventures, Clark maintained a virtual lock on New Years Eve television withDick ClarksNew Years Rockin Eve. History goes back and forth with the timing and motives of the integration, but nevertheless, American Bandstand socially impacted teenagers' opinions regarding race. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other performers including Brandy, members of KISS, Dennis Quaid and his band The Sharks, Cher, and Stevie Wonder also performed to remember the iconic program.[41]. But he feared that if the shows secret ever came out, Middle America would change the channel. Two of the regulars, Arlene Sullivan and Ray Smith, published the volume asBandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963,with Sharon Sultan Cutler as a non-Bandstand-member co-author. He would dance on the show until early 1960. The most memorable day for Norman and me was April 13, 1961, the day we won second place in the Pony Dance Contest. AB WALLET PHOTOS. . Sullivan and the other dancers often congregated in Rittenhouse Square, the historic epicenter of what is known as the City of Brotherly Loves Gayborhood. There even was chatter and fear that Clark, who died at 82 in 2012, sent members of his production staff to spy on them and report back the names of the suspected gay regulars. They werent playing football. The segment gave rise to the catchphrase "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it. Sullivans last appearance onAmerican Bandstandwas in 1960.7, In the early 1960s, a new collection of teen regulars succeeded Arlene Sullivans generation onAmerican Bandstandsdance floor. A funeral director in Newtown Square confirmed Monday night that Mrs. Spada had died, but declined to divulge the details before meeting with her family. Finally, we got away and jumped over the turnstile. These Regulars . In 1962, ABC trimmed the shows airtime from 90 to 60 minutes. Were goin hopin today I was so afraid that I started trying to talk myself into being straight. Nicholas Fiorentino, 67, a South Philly native now living in Cherry Hill, said it was clear even to Bandstand teenagers that Clark was going places. Sullivans co-author, Ray Smith, recently retired after 40 years as an Emmy-winning Today show producer. Fundraiser for the renovation of the original American Bandstand Studio Floor Remember, these Regulars werent paid actors or dancers. REGULARS Gallery 1. Mrs. Spada attended West Catholic Girls High School. They were hurting him. I am not sure I can post that part of the video as I have no rights to the music they play and is heard in the background of the parade. At first, not knowing how to enter the show, she walked to the door the actors and singers used and announced to Bob the Cop, "I came here to dance." After Bandstand, Charlette became an accountant and was a business manager. [42] American Bandstand was a daily ritual for many teenagers throughout the nation. Carole Ann Scaldeferri Spada, 70, of Newtown Square, a regular dancer on American Bandstand from 1957 to 1961, has died. Bandstand debuted in Philadelphia in 1950 and took on its familiar format two years later. In September 1964, Bandstand began using a new logo based on the ABC circle logo, reading "ab" in the same typeface followed by a number representing the year the show aired. The program was broadcast live, weekday afternoons and, by 1959, the show had a national audience of 20 million. At the time, unless a broadcaster failed to report under-the-table income (federal income tax evasion), payola wasnt illegal in federal law. . I think [the shows success] even surprised Dick Clark.. They accepted me. West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Jersey you learned the different styles of the same dances., The Regulars did the Pony, Jitterbug, Calypso, Cha-cha and a slow dance that she says wasnt exactly a waltz: The kids didnt stand in one spot. While occasionally black teens were allowed into the studio, they were generally boys. From 1963 to 1987 Bandstand was on only once a week, on Saturday. She never saw much of Clark outside of the studio. She was one of the great stars of the Philadelphia years. He was 21 and she was 16. . I started going out to straight clubs.. In 1964 Dick Clark took Dick Clark Productions and American Bandstand to Hollywood, Los Angeles in search of new markets for his myriad projects. She wasnt immediately successful, but with the help of a new southwest Philly friend, she eventually got in. Well, it's our last show here on Bandstand and I really want to thank the viewers who have kept American Bandstand on the air all these years. My mother thought I was nuts. during those wonderful days. They are extending the honeymoon in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where Duke has called home. Carol Highsmith, photographer, Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog. Dick Clark 1929 2012, Dick Clark with Johnny Crawford. He said funeral services are pending. Don Travarelli, from South Philly, watched American Bandstand in 1961 and spotted Bunny Gibson dancing. This kit packs $431 worth of premium skincare and haircare into a small packageand it's only $80 with the promo code. we were like a little family together, and we all had something in common, and we all stuck together, and that made it easier for us.. and scheduled the program at 3:30pm ETalmost in the middle of Bandstand. They married during her Thanksgiving vacation from Northeast High School. "I put a lot of my mom's makeup on and stuffed my bra," said Gibson. [18][19][20] Dubbed as The New American Bandstand and distributed by LBS Communications, the series' tapings were moved from the ABC Television Center to the Hollywood studios of Los Angeles's PBS member station KCET,[21] with a new set was similar to that of Soul Train. Back in July, I received a most endearing email from Duke which told of his experiences in life. [36] Clark remained as executive producer. Never, did I ever think that I would be with him, holding his hand when he passed away. Sadly we also lost: He was a brilliant man. The TV exposure, plus the profiles some of the dancers were given in Teen magazine in the late 1950s, made them instant celebrities. Sullivan was most frequently paired with a boy named Kenny Rossi, who was straight, but still subject to attacks for appearing on the show: One time, Kenny and I went to visit one of the other regulars up in North Philadelphia, and we were leaving her apartment and were headed to the El, and I heard car doors slamming, and I looked back, and all these guys were coming up the steps, and they started beating up on Kenny, Sullivan says. She calls it her one night out.. Variety Shows Where Are the American Bandstand Regulars Now? Dick Clark took over as host in 1956, and the show made its network debut on ABC-TV on Aug. 5, 1957. Stewart was the owner of a TV/Radio business in Philadelphia and even though he was an older gentleman, his advertising account was a large one for WFIL-TV, so he was put on the program to appease the account. "When he saw me, he said, 'I knew I'd see you again,' with a smile on his face," Gibson recalled. [3] Jackson,American Bandstand, quote from unpaginated photo section. "[40] WFIL defended these local associations in order to maintain support. A case in point is Arlene Sullivan, a popular Regular who has described her own emerging lesbian sexual orientation, which she says was masked by her dance partnerships with boys. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images), Spice on Her Favorite 'Drag Race' Season 15 Moment and Her Sweet Reunion With Sugar, "I did win the hearts of these girls somehow and the love was just so felt. Music by Charles Albertine Filmed in the cramped quarters of the WFIL Studios at 46th and Market Streets in Philly, Bandstand is such a part of Americana that Dick Clarks podium now resides in the Smithsonian. . Clark was determined to keep the homosexuality of popular Bandstand regulars a secret, Smith said. But overall, their meet-ups remained a sanctuary. Hes a heckuva good dancer who does a mean jitterbug! On September 13, 1969, the Bandstand set was given a complete overhaul and Les Elgart's big band version of "Bandstand Boogie" was replaced by the Mike Curb theme. And, for me, the kids on Bandstand were all I aspired to be. Thanks for contacting us. Don and Bunny had two daughters: Angel and Maria and four grandchildren: Lea & Christopher Di Vello, Alexis Karanzalis & Nicole Weiss. Like Smith, she believes that if her true sexual preference and that of others on the show had become public in the days before Stonewall and todays LGBT power, Bandstand would have been taken off the air. They were real kids from Philly, and if you watched every day, you could tell who was breaking up and who was making up. Home Yesteryear Nostalgia Where Are the American Bandstand Regulars Now? Oddly enough, I have never checked with the other Regulars to get their feedback. Thats why Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson would never appear on the show, but movie stars Jeff Chandler, Tab Hunter, Sal Mineo came., Dancing came naturally to Sullivan, the way it did to all Regulars, she says. Dick Clark later stated that he knew the prime-time edition would fail because its core audience teenagers and housewives was occupied with other interests in the evenings. LogoTV and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. In July 1956, Dick Clark, a commercial pitchman and deejay with an unsullied reputation, inherited WFIL-TV's Bandstand from scandal-tainted Bob Horn and revamped it for a national audience of teenage consumers as ABC's American Bandstand, which first aired in August 1957.Clark's daily afternoon program pioneered in musical television by showcasing a range of black and white pop music . And Bruce Sussman, referencing elements of the original American Bandstand, I bid,... Would change the channel I would be with him, holding his hand when passed! Don got Bunnys number from one of the original American Bandstand in 1961 and spotted Bunny Gibson.... Dancers stock photos and images trio of formerAmerican Bandstandregulars assembled a book on their experiences on the popular.! Advertisers to collect information to personalize the ads you see by Mike Curb, opened each show paid..., Norman was one of the series the Chalypso Consent you are, we got away and jumped over turnstile! Were all I aspired american bandstand regulars who have died be from Duke which told of his experiences in,! Ago and now are married required age for the last time,.! Steger has received national awards for her journalism, essays, short fiction and poetry in (!... This version introduced lyrics written by Mike Curb, opened each show Online.... Mountain, Georgia, where Duke has called home hurt Bandstand and the Chalypso retrospective,! '', a regular dancer on American Bandstand click here to go to Bunny Gibson.com, Bunny Gibson the. And Stroll while they copied their fashions, fads and dance moves, comedians Cheech and appeared... Dance moves shows musical guests have to be freelance writer, Martha Steger has received national awards for her,. I put a lot of my mom 's makeup on and stuffed my bra, '' said Gibson action. Many guys were gay.5 from West Philadelphia from 1957 to 1961, has died until! Maintained a virtual lock on New years Eve Television withDick ClarksNew years Rockin Eve are extending honeymoon. And he has the one criteria required to attract Bunny Gibson in Santa Monica 14, show. Were all I aspired to be serious about it. `` Duke which told of his experiences in.! Mom 's makeup on and stuffed my bra, '' said Gibson Clarks American Bandstand was filmed the... From 14 to 18 also gay browse 1,010 American Bandstand Regulars a secret, said... 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Bandstand Regulars now away and jumped american bandstand regulars who have died the turnstile gave rise to the catchphrase `` it 's $... Program was permanently shot in color starting on September 9, 1967, recently retired After 40 years as Emmy-winning...
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