Dick Clark: 1929-2012

Television personality, producer and music promoter Dick Clark died this morning in his home following a massive heart attack.

Clark quickly became a music TV staple after American Bandstand first hit the ABC Television Network in 1957.

Clark hosted the program until 1988, interviewing and showcasing the biggest names in rock n' roll and pop music, including Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, KISS, Madonna, and Pink Floyd, to name a few.

American Bandstand ended its run in 1989 with David Hirsch as the host.

In 1972, Clark hosted and produced the first annual Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, live from New York City's Times Square.

The yearly event still airs with Ryan Seacrest co-hosting with Clark from 2005 to 2011.

Clark also made numerous other television, radio and movie appearances, including Perry Mason, the $10,000 Pyramid, guest hosting radio's American Top 40, TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

He also created and began producing the American Music Awards in 1973.

Clark was 82 years old.