The Dick Clark Show (1958)

Broadcast live on ABC TV 7:30-8PM EST on Saturday evenings (Feb.1958-Sept.1960) from "The Little Theater "(since 1983,The Helen Hayes Theater) In NYC. "The Dick Clark Show" presented the top recording acts of the day as well as many up and coming acts. To name just a few: Connie Francis, Jackie Wilson,Bobby Darin, LLoyd Price,Bobby Rydell, Buddy Holley, Richie Valens, Johnny Cash, The Four Lads, Conway Twitty, Bill Haley and Dion and The Belmonts. A few shows went "on the road" and were broadcast from such places as "The Steel Pier" in Atlantic City NJ and Atlanta Ga. There was always conversation between host Dick Clark and his live audience which appeared to range from 13-18 years of age. On occasion, some guests , performed "live" as opposed to a lip sync to a record. Performing "live" were Jerry Lee Lewis on the premier show, Fats Domino on his first appearance, and Bill Doggett and his band who performed the instrumental "Honky Tonk" from Atlantic City's Steel Pier. Towards the end of each show, Dick would unveil the top 10 songs. of that week, and then an eager audience would hear the names of the next week's guests. After the show's cancellation in the Fall of 1960, "Beechnut Gum" the sponsor of this show, sponsored "Saturday Prom" on NBC. The show featured the same format but with an in house live band, and without lip sync. It was hosted by Merv Griffin but was canceled after less than a full season.