Dick Clark, 'American Bandstand' Host, Passes Away

Dick Clark, the man who helped to make rock 'n' roll mainstream and was the face of American Bandstand and New Year's Rockin' Eve, passed away today after suffering from what his agent said was a "massive heart attack." He was 82.

Clark notably tookover American Bandstand in 1956, and then began hosting New Year's Rockin' Eve in 1972. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1994, and served as spokesman for the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

After suffering from a stroke in 2004, Clark had to reduce his hosting duties, but by then his fame had parlayed itself into a chain of American Bandstand restaurants, notably in Branson, Mo., where the American Bandstand Theater is located.

While the Branson restaurant is no longer affiliated with the Dick Clark brand, American Bandstand restaurants are still open in Salt Lake City and Phoenix.

The American Bandstand Theater will be hosting a memorial in front of the theater doors tonight at 7:30 p.m., and all Legends in Concert performances will be dedicated to Clark tonight, a representative told us.