"For Now, Dick Clark....So Long"

Dick Clark's "American Bandstand"

Dick Clark died Wednesday, April 18th of a heart attack at the age of 82.  Dick Clark, a cultural icon among baby boomers, to many a legend.  Baby Boomers grew up with Dick Clark Productions, my favorite was "American Bandstand. What baby boomer doesn't remember "American Bandstand"?     

  Growing up in the 1960's, Saturday afternoons were greatly anticipated at my house.  Saturday was grocery shopping day.  My mother would leave the house by 10:30 a.m. to go shopping, usually alone, leaving her three adorable daughters behind. Strict orders were given before she left, and my big sister was the one in charge.  My mother expected her house to be cleaned by the time she got  home after shopping all day.  I don't think we minded too much being left behind as there was an ulterior motive lurking, because as we cleaned we always kept a watchful eye on the clock.  My oldest sister got the brunt of the work and as we hurriedly did our assigned chores, the break came at 12:20.  The television was turned on, and we gathered around for  "American Bandstand" which started at 12:30.  What fun.  It was the best.  My sisters and I loved watching the teenagers dance and the bands perform.  I paid particular attention to two girls that seemed to be in the audience quite frequently.  First of all, I loved their hair; second, I loved their dance moves; and third, I loved the way they dressed.   I had secret crushes on a couple of  guys in the audience too.  My younger sister just watched, I studied everyone, and my older sister liked to critique the audience on what they were wearing and how they danced. Sometimes she would have a friend over; it was interesting listening to the two older girls talking and giggling about the dancers. I tried to share their point of view, but I just didn't get it, being four years younger is a huge difference in childhood.
When the show was finished, the T.V. had to be shut off immediately before my mother got home. We didn't want my mother to know what we had been up to.  My big sister went back to work.  My list of chores were done, and this was my chance to shine.  No one was in the living room, and I took this opportunity to practice my new dance moves in front of the large mirror on the wall.  I was dancing in front of the picture window so I could see myself in the mirror all the while looking out onto the street. If a car drove by, I would stop dancing immediately and move away from the window.  I would keep an eye out for my mother's car pulling up in front of the house.   I positive no one saw me dancing like a fool, that is until a nosy neighbor boy, same age as my older sister, called me out.  I remember one Saturday in particular, I was having such a good time busting a move or two that I forgot to duck when a car drove by.  A few days later, standing outside with my big sister, this nerdy guy says, "I drove by your house on Saturday, and I saw Kim dancing in the living room."   I quickly responded with, "That wasn't me, it was Tami--my younger sister dancing."  I figured Tami wasn't standing there, what could she say?  "Oh no it wasn't."  "It was you, and you were doing the twist, jumping up in the air, and dancing the pony."  (Who remembers the pony dance?) My big sister starts laughing loudly, there's no stopping her from telling my mother about this incident.  After all, it was supposed to be a cleaning day, not a dancing day.  Sisters love to one up each other, which meant my Saturday chores would surely double.  Emphatically I told this neighbor boy again, "No, it wasn't me, it was Tami."
"I know it was you, because you had your 'Sock It To Me' t-shirt on."   He grinned at me with sarcasm.  

 Well that did it, I can't deny it now.  Everyone in the neighborhood knew about me and my favorite t-shirt.  And now, because of nosy neighbor boy, everyone in the neighborhood will know about me and my secret dance moves on Saturdays in my 'Sock It To Me' t-shirt.   It was a white tee with a mock turtleneck that had black lettering starting at the top going to the bottom with the words, 'Sock It To Me', 'Sock It To Me', 'Sock It To Me', which was famous from a sketch with Judy Carne from Rowan and Martin's "Laugh In."  I really liked that shirt.

"American Bandstand" the television show where I learned how to dress (I got rid of that 'Sock It To Me' t shirt),  learned how to dance, learned to do my hair, learned to sing, and discovered "The Jackson Five".   Dick Clark-nickname-the world's oldest teenager-may be gone, but the memories will never be forgotten.