As host of American Bandstand for more than 30 years, Dick Clark introduced rock 'n' roll music via television to a whole generation of teenaged Americans while reassuring their parents that the music would not lead their children to perdition. With his eternally youthful countenance, collegiate boy-next-door personality, and trademark "salute" at the close of each telecast, Clark is one of the few veterans of the early days of television who remains active after nearly half a century in broadcasting.

Richard Wagstaff Clark was born in 1929 in Mount Vernon, New York. His father owned radio stations across upstate New York, and his only sibling, older brother Bradley, was killed in World War II. Clark grew up enamored of such radio personalities as Arthur Godfrey and Garry Moore, and instantly understood the effectiveness and appeal of their informal on-air approach. Clark studied speech at Syracuse University...