I hear the guitars ringin' out again

Dick Clark died Wednesday, one day before Levon Helm, which means these past few days have triggered a lot of memories for those of us who grew up on rock and roll, pop and country music.

I don't remember when American Bandstand was on TV on a daily basis, but I sure do remember every Saturday afternoon with my brother in our living room, watching "Rate a Record" as he sat on our Davenport. Each week, without fail, we saw everyone from The Lovin'Spoonful and The Grass Roots to Marvin Gaye and Sam and Dave. You have to remember, this was back with three channels and precious few opportunities to see the performers of the music that meant so much to me (and my brother).

Clark was only the non-threatening and safe conduit, but a crucial one in that his presence and importance legitimized rock and roll while attracting the likes of the immortal Sir Douglas Quintet. How long would it have taken for me otherwise to find out that the bunch of misfits responsible for "She's About a Mover" was actually from South Texas and not from England, as their name implied.

Dick Clark, who would go to build an entertainment empire, provided a vital and incredibly meaningful window to a larger existence than existed outside of my little world on Grace Avenue in Shavertown.