Celebrities took to Twitter to mourn the loss of broadcasting and entertainment pioneer Dick Clark.
Reactions ranged from those who worked closely with Clark (like Ryan Seacrest who posted, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life.") to stars just expressing sympathy for an icon they knew from years of seeing him on TV like the rest of us (like rapper Snoop Dogg who wrote, "REST IN PEACE to the DICK CLARK!! U were pioneer n a good man!! Thank u sir.")
President Obama even chimed in:
"With 'American Bandstand,' he introduced decades' worth of viewers to the music of our times. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer. And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year. But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel -- as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final `so long' to Dick Clark, America's oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends -- which number far more than he knew."
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There's not much Clark didn't accomplish in his storied career. Here are some of the highlights:
1952: Moves to Philadelphia from his native New York, joins radio station WFIL as a disc jockey.
1956: Joins "American Bandstand" as host, replacing original host Bob Horn. Under Clark's guidance, it's transformed from a local Philadelphia show to a national phenomenon.
1957: Forms a production company, later named dick clark productions, the cornerstone of his entrepreneurial success.
1960: Is called to testify during a Congressional investigation of "payola," or bribery in the record and radio industry. Cleared of any suspicions, he's required by ABC to divest himself of record-company interests.
1963: Hosts "The Dick Clark Radio Show," an early attempt at radio syndication that lasted less than a year.
1972: Produces and hosts "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."
1973: Hosts "The $10,000 Pyramid," which in different versions brought him multiple Emmy Awards for best game show host.
1974: Creates the American Music Awards at the request of ABC, which lost the broadcast rights to the Grammy Awards.
1987: His "American Bandstand," one of network TV's longest-lived series as part of ABC's daytime lineup starting in 1957, ends its network run, moves to syndication.
1989: Produces an "American Bandstand" series for USA Network, with new host David Hirsch, which runs for less than a year.
1993: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clark, who condemned censorship and gave black performers their due, is saluted for defending pop artists and artistic freedom.
2001: Co-hosts "The Other Half," a syndicated daytime talk show for male viewers, with Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce and Dorian Gregory.
2002: Produces "American Dreams," an NBC drama about a Philadelphia teenager who's a regular on "American Bandstand."
2004: Suffers a December stroke, is forced to miss his annual appearance on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." He returns the next year, despite impaired speech, and is praised by stroke victims and others for his bravery.
2006: Honored at the Emmy Awards, he tells the crowd: "I have accomplished my childhood dream, to be in show business. Everybody should be so lucky to have their dreams come true."
Copyright Associated Press