On July 9, 1956 — “Dick Clark began one of the longest runs in hosting a television series when he debuted as host of Bandstand on a TV station in Philadelphia. The show was eventually picked up by ABC-TV and would change its name to American Bandstand.”
Info and photo from Inside the Rock Era
As a young teen in the 1970s I worked in a family owned department store most Saturdays. I would try to have my lunch break coincide with when the show aired so I could view part of the show. I mostly wanted to catch the segment where Dick Clark spoke with an artist or group before they performed on stage.
I heard this mentioned today, the first airing of American Bandstand. I used to like to watch it on Saturdays. Dick Clark will be missed.