American Bandstand
TIME LIFE PRESENTS DICK CLARK’S AMERICAN BANDSTAND
50TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
TIME LIFE MUSIC TO ISSUE UNPRECEDENTED NEW RELEASE CELEBRATING AMERICAN BANDSTAND’S CULTURAL LEGACY
On August 5th, 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 county'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' "Briston Stomp," Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time," and Chubby Checker's "The Twist" and "let's Twist Again," Little Eva's "Locomotion" and "The Hustle" by Van McCoy. They dances in the fifties to songs frm 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 Cark, 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 eighties to songs from Hall and Oates and Rick Springfield.
DICK CLARK’S AMERICAN BANDSTAND 50TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION will be available at www.timelife.com/americanbandstand or by calling toll free 888-855-4776.
About Time Life
Headquartered in Fairfax, VA, Time Life was founded in 1961 as a direct marketing company specializing in music and books. It has since grown to become one of the world’s largest direct marketers of audio and video products, selling almost 15 million units each year throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and is the largest advertiser of music products in Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom. Time Life set the standard in the direct response industry by pioneering direct marketing techniques, building one of the most trusted and recognized brands in commerce. The company now also sells their products through major traditional and non-traditional retailers around the world as well as via the Internet. Time Life is a registered trademark of Time Warner, Inc. used under license by Direct Holdings Americas, Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner, Inc.
About Dick Clark Productions, Inc.
Founded in 1957, Dick Clark Productions has grown to become a leading independent producer of a wide range of television programming for broadcast networks, cable networks, distributors and advertisers. The company has produced thousands of shows and specials in all genres and for all day parts, including such perennial hits as: “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the “American Music Awards,” the “Golden Globe Awards,” the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” the “Bloopers” specials and series, the “Daytime Emmy Awards,” the “Soap Opera Digest Awards,” and “TV Guide’s Greatest Moments,” among others. The company also is a leading creator of award-winning communications experiences from live events and meetings to integrated marketing programs for major corporations. A subsidiary, Dick Clark Restaurants, Inc., licenses and operates “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand” casual dining restaurants. Dick Clark Productions is a portfolio company of RedZone Capital Partners, a private equity group controlled by Daniel M. Snyder and Dwight Schar.
Clickhere to see the box set
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