American Bandstand Yearbook 1958

Submitted by MyFunCloset February 28th, 2010
Certifikitsch Winner

Growing up in the 50’s included this coming of age experience. American Bandstand came out of South Philly. Long before Dick Clark produced many now popular TV shows and hosted Pyramid, he captivated every teen and pre-teen in the late 1950’s. Though I was only about 11 years old, I remember my older sister and our friends turning on the old black & white TV. We all listened, sang along and learn new dances to all the music. We watched fresh faces in the audience swaying to THE songs of the day & they would rate them… nice beat…great lyrics. We saw new dances by the “favorite” local teens. I think as time passed, it was on one night a week too. There’s far more to rock ‘n Roll than Elvis, and Dick Clark showcased all the talent out there. It was life changing and oh so memorable.

Perhaps you can add your memories of American Bandstand & Dick Clark. We’d love to read them. I know I would!

11 Responses to “American Bandstand Yearbook 1958”

  1. Allee Willis

    To say I was a slave to American Bandstand in my impressionable youth would be the understatement of the 20th century. I watched with a religious fervor reserved for cults. I loved everything about Bandstand and credit it as one of the main influences on me becoming a songwriter despite the fact I still don’t know how to read, notate or play music. My bedroom walls and ceiling were plastered with photos of the regulars, Mary Beltrante (sp?) and Steve someone being my favorites. Oh wait, then there was Bill and Justine. I remember the first time Paul Anka appeared on there I was inconsolable until my mother drove me to Mumford Records in Detroit to buy “Puppy Love” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”.

    Do you know what year this book was published?

    • SantaFeJack

      I’m pretty sure it was 1958. There are many AB books out there, but yours looks like the one I bought. I always recall it as being rectangular. And the cover graphics also seem familiar. I’m 71 and have moved many times over the years and, unfortunately, this souvenir as well as a personal letter from Pat Molitierri didn’t make it when I moved from Boston to Honolulu. :-(
      Incidentally, it was Bob Clayton and Justine Corelli. There are some interviews online with them from when Dick Clark died. 2013? Have you discovered the website “Bandstand Diaries”?

  2. MyFunCloset

    Allee, I just knew American Bandstand was part of your history.
    There’s even a color photo of Justine Corelli dancing with Bob Clayton. (want their pic?) There is no copyright, but they make reference to 1957, so I put it at 1958. 40 pages filled with photos with descriptions. It’s a treasure!
    Actually I found it at a house sale just last Sunday. If anyone is interested, I put it up on eBay just yesterday.

  3. Mark Blackwell

    one day about 10 or 12 years ago i was backing out of a parking space at malibu seafood and i saw an suv approaching through the lot behind me, so i hit the brakes. even though i was just sitting there at that point – having stopped very safely and without coming anywhere near the oncoming vehicle – the man driving the suv rolled his window down and yelled, “watch it!!!” this angered me somewhat, so i briefly mulled over the idea of yelling back some clever retort along the lines of “YOU watch it!!!” this was when i noticed that the man who had shouted at me from the suv was none other than dick clark. i took the high road and chose not to yell back at him, even though i felt he was in the wrong. i didn’t want to yell at dick clark.

    speaking of traffic incidents involving elderly men who are on television – i did almost run over andy rooney in the crosswalk at the corner of 8th avenue and 57th street back in the early 90s. i slammed on my brakes just in time, however, stopping mere inches from hitting him. he didn’t yell at me, as he was too startled, my having come so very close to running him over…

  4. John

    Thank’s,

    Brings back many great memories , and I would love to have a copy.

    Sincerely
    John

    Formally , one of the Twin Tones , as seen on The American Bandstand in 1958 .