When I read of Dick Clark's death, I was reminded of my one little moment with him. It was 1956...He had just taken over a local Philadelphia TV show called "Bandstand". My record, "IF" had been released about six weeks earlier and it was a 'hit' in Connecticut!
A man named Jim Gallant who was the host of a similar type TV show in New Haven, had played my record and evidently, the kids loved it. He called the record company and said...'You better get your girl up here to do the show'......So I went! Because there was such a strong response after my appearance in New Haven, the Record Company, Ember Records, arranged for me to go to Philadelphia, which was a huge redord-market at the time, to do "Bandstand, and a few radio shows, plus stops in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, too......
Dick Clark couldn't have been nicer and it was a lovely, though somewhat overwhelming, experience. I remember thinking at the time what a big thing it was to be on this show--and lip-syncing the record with all these teenagers screaming and dancing.....And I was impressed with how gracious Dick Clark was.....I'm afraid lightening did not strike twice---though my appearance was a success, it certainly didn't generate the same kind of popularity and sales that New Haven had....(I ended up doing Jim Gallant's show two more times---and he was incredibly gracious, too.) 
"Bandstand", which was still a local in-Philadelphia-only show, when I appeared on it, went National in 1957 and they renamed it "American Bandstand"......and the rest, as they say, is history....! Dick Clark had something quite special about him and it reached right through the camera and into every one's homes....it's that elusive something that made people feel he could be their boyfriend or their brother, or their son or grandson, or even their husband.....Dick Clark had a real like ability about him and the Network saw that and "American Bandstand" became THE place for talent to appear because it was so very popular. It gave one this incredible instant wide exposure, and over the years, everyone appeared on this amazing show..... As we all know, Dick Clark went on to many other on-air shows and also created a company that produced many many other shows for television. He not only had an on-air presence that was saleable, he also had fantastic business smarts.
RIP, Mr. Clark.
More To Come......
IT STINKS!
- had this to say:
I just knew you would have a Dick Clark story :)
We were lucky enough to see him at the Emmys the year we went, still recovering from his stroke. Barry Manilow did a lovely tribute to him. The woman in the row behind us were BAWLING their eyes out much to the confusion of poor Mark haha.
Love always Aunty Em from our house to yours :)- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 12:37:00 AM PDT
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I clicked on the disc hoping to hear the song and then wandered to You tube and found the song but now discontinued. Then found Butchie boy way back in 2008 - a voyage of discovery.
Have just emailed you.
I haven't noticed any difference with blogger but then I am getting used to Windows 7 and have problems enough.
Please don't let it get you down. I'm sure the rewards of blogging outweigh the frustrations.xoxox- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 3:46:00 AM PDT
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Please don't stop blogging - I love reading your posts! It's so exciting to think you were on Bandstand! I had forgotten you had a record in your past too!
- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 3:52:00 AM PDT
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I hate the new layout too, but stick with it for a while, hopefully it will get easier, but don't give up blogging, ever!! That's an order!!
I had no idea Dick Clark has died. I'm devastated. Bobby Vee was a great friend of Dicks and always told me what a lovely man he was.
One of my all time favourite books is Rock Roll & Remember by him. He was an inspiration and such a fan of rock and roll too.- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 3:53:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Thanks for sharing your memories.
I normally don't get overly nostalgic about celebrities, but Dick Clark's passing was an exception. It's cliche to call someone an "icon," but if anyone deserves that appellation it's Dick Clark. He handled his fame and career with such grace and aplomb compared to so many others, including making his mark in music, television, production--everything.
He will truly be missed.
Cheers.
(P.S. I agree. The new Blogger interface sucks in Spades.)- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 8:42:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Wow, I never knew you released records! :)
I remember a TV show last year where twin sisters absolutely adored Dick Clarke and they wrote to him. They kept in touch and they even met a few times (even after his stroke).- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 8:49:00 AM PDT
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Aw, I was hoping to hear your record. That must have been some experience. I know I watched the show regularly. Who was going with whom on AB was the first reality show.
He was one of those that we thought would always be around. He seemed timeless.
Please don't let Blogger win. It is frustrating when they insist on fixing what isn't broke. Hang in Naomi, we will get through this.- Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 5:12:00 PM PDT
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OMG, OMG, OMG - you were on Bandstand?? Girl, what a life you have led. That show, even over here, is an icon, EVERYONE knows of it. Wow. Please, please, please can you find a way to upload your song for us to hear?
Bloomin' blogger - yesterday I lost a whole post - zip, and it was gone - and all I did was go in to edit it, change my mind, and hit the publish button - the title stayed, but my current post replaced the text there - arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, spit! Seriously, I too am so disillusioned I am on the verge of walking away from blogger altogether.
Promise you won't quit, move to wordpress or something if you have to, but don't leave.- Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 2:30:00 AM PDT
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I was shocked when the television told me of Dick Clark's passing..now each day shows old clips from Amer. Bandstand...wow..I sometimes hate to say how much of it I remember! How wonderful that you got to do his show, even if it was only local at the time!!
I am not good with change either Naomi. I write my blogs in a program called Live Writer and "publish" to my blogs (more than one in case one crashes)- Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3:25:00 AM PDT
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I LOVE that photo of you!
you're so pretty
how amazing that you were on Bandstand, you're so cool
I really respected Dick Clark - as an artist, a businessman and a person
I just read that the networks told him not to book black artists or to feature their music and he fought that until he won
RIP Mr. Clark- Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 7:16:00 AM PDT
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I'm glad Dick Clark lived to see the rose named after him.
I have a mixed reaction to the new blogger. Some things are easier. But getting tht first post up was like dancing real slow with the devil.- Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 8:35:00 AM PDT
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I knew about your record, but didn't know you'd performed it on Bandstand too! What an experience!
I haven't noticed any changes to Blogger recently, so I wonder if it is something they are rolling out slowly?- Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 2:46:00 PM PDT
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I love that you shared such a personal story about your meeting Dick Clark. There is still so much to learn about you, my friend. You are full of surprises...like telling us NOW you had a record and appeared on his show. That's just wonderful!!
I know what you mean about Dick Clark. He seemed very personable and down to earth, like a father to all. I was saddened to hear he passed away and New Year's Eve will never be the same for many of us without him.
I hear you on the new Blogger. I'm currently using the old version until the new one kicks in and then we'll see where we go. Any suggestions?
Hugs from Miami...♥- Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 4:15:00 PM PDT
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Hi Naomi!!!
For your fans let me say to seek out "If". It's online. I posted it to my facebook page months ago. I'm still baffled as to why it wasn't a bigger hit as it is quite catchy, and Naomi really sells the hell out of it!
Wasn't Dick wonderful? He stayed so youthful for so long that I was certain that there was an aging, hideous portrait in his attic ala Dorian Gray.
I don't blog, so I don't see what's different, but don't you dare stop blogging. I love how eclectic your followers are :)
Stan
XOXO- Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:15:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I've been reading the problems with blogger everywhere in comments from others using blogspot, but mine doesn't seem any different. I did the update to their new version when I saw that it would be required; and although it has differences, nothing got in my way and it's working fine (why did I say that? You know as soon as you say that, it'll all fall apart). I am not sure what the difference is.
There are a variety of choices besides it though if you don't mind the hassle of changing. You might write some of the ones on other systems to see what their results are. I hope you continue doing it-- one way or the other. I am sure your readers will follow you wherever you go.- Monday, April 23, 2012 at 6:04:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Julie said:
It was fun to watch the video clip of you in Police Woman where you played the part of a bank employee. Still searching for the recording of "If" and the part where you played a receptionist on Mary Tyler Moore. Thanks for graciously sharing your memories of working in the entertainment world. Beautiful picture of you!- Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:26:00 AM PDT
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I guess I had forgotten you were on Bandstand. Wow! I looked for a recording of IF at youtube but could not find it. I did see a clip of you acting on Police Woman! That was a kick!
I used to love watching American Bandstand as a young girl. It really was cutting edge to try that sort of thing.
I have gone through several upsets feeling like I was going to have to stop blogging over having no control over my server etc. I feel so out of sorts when I can't operate like I want to. I do thing the blogs are an extension of ourselves. I hope things work out. I am not on blogger but Facebook keeps changing too and most everyone hates when it does. I dislike the whole new and improved thing. Why try to fix what isn't broken?- Monday, April 23, 2012 at 9:01:00 AM PDT
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Great post to homage Dick Clark. He was really an icon! I did not had the opportunity to see his shows...
Just great you had your record, "IF" released and that it was a 'hit'. Congratulations!
Love your photo on the "EMBER RECORDS-Post Card", you are just gorgeous and look so happy!
Just amazing that you were on Bandstand. You always surprise me.
Please, would be great if you can find a way to upload your song for us to hear. Maybe Youtube?
PS: About the "improvements" of Blogger, I don't like it at all. They complicated that was simple, do you know? For me, that love to post huge photos, it is now more complicated... But I hope we will
get easier...
Please, don't give up blogging, never!! Love your "HERE IN THE HILLS"!!
Many (((Hugs))).- Monday, April 23, 2012 at 10:44:00 AM PDT
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Lovely memories and wonderful tribute.
Naomi, you can go back to the old interface if you click on the "sun" or wheel on the right, there is a dropdown menu where you will find the option to go back. I did it :)- Monday, April 23, 2012 at 1:28:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It was a shock to hear about his death, but he lived a long and wonderful life doing what he enjoyed from what I understood. I am not found of the new blogger either.
- Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 6:26:00 AM PDT
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Is there anything you haven't done? That is so amazing! Do you have pictures or movie of your appearance? I would love to hear "If." Don't stop blogging. If you have to leave Blogger, let us know which address you move to.
- Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 7:26:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
I look forward to your blog and have read it for years. I have only stuck with four blogs over the years after reading hundreds of them. Yours is great!!!!
- Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 7:38:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
So you also sang and how beautiful you were! Interesting to read about your experience with Dick Clark.
- Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 6:23:00 PM PDT
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I loved watching American Bandstand, and I can still remember some of it. It was very sad when Dick had his stroke and when he died.
I agree with you about Blogger , but I'm getting used to it.- Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 5:56:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Playing catch-up on reading your wonderful blog...may take awhile. Left, returned to new Blogger and I too hate it. Strangely, my blog had more readers while I was away! Hmmm Made a new friend here, Betty Jacobs, a painter from L.A., one of her models, "Lala" died two months ago; I had just purchased her painting from Betty. It is my beauty. Betty has not been in good health, but with her devoted husband, Sy, by her side, she has once again returned---much to my joy. What a wonderful person, her stories remind me of yours. I wonder if you have ever met her. When she feels better, I will mention you to her.
- Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 10:13:00 PM PDT
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