Dick Clark Dead At 82, Helped Expose Black Singers

By Andrew Walker/ Getty Images Entertainment

Legendary entertainment producer and icon Dick Clark has died. Clark was 82, and suffered a massive heart attack. Clark is most recently remembered for his Rockin’ New Year’s Eve party, which now has several imitators. For African-Americans, however, Clark may be most remembered for bringing R&B to the masses on “American Bandstand.” He helped expose artists such as Percy Sledge, The Silhouettes, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Gladys Knight & the Pips and countless others.