AP/file

Dick Clark was surrounded by fans during a 1957 television broadcast of "American Bandstand."

AP Photo/File

Clark selected a record in his station library in Philadelphia on Feb. 3, 1959.

AP/ABC

In 1973, Clark presented a series of five specials on ABC that painted a musical portrait of the 1950s and 1960s.

AP

Dick Clark in December, 1980. The original ‘‘American Bandstand’’ was one of network TV’s longest-running series as part of ABC’s daytime lineup from 1957 to 1987.

ABC via AP

Clark (seen here in 1974) hosted "American Bandstand" through multiple decades and waves of music popularity. "I played records, the kids danced, and America watched," was how he once described the series’ simplicity.

Kirk Cameron, Dick Clark, and Lori Loughlin hosted New Year's Rockin' Eve in 1990.

Kevork Djansezian/AP

Clark introduced Michael Jackson on stage during a taping of American Bandstand's 50th anniversary special in Pasadena, Calif., on April 20, 2002.

AP/file

As American Music Awards executive producer in January 1993, Clark went over the script during rehearsals with Michael Jackson at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Fred Prouser/Reuters

Clark with Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug, legendary entertainer Bob Hope, and actor Charlton Heston as Hope accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Family Film Awards in 1996.

Wally Santana/AP

Every year, Clark (seen here on Dec. 31,1996) hosted his New Year's Rockin' Eve special from Times Square in New York City.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ATI

Clark and Ryan Seacrest attended the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards in Las Vegas in 2010.

ABC

Dick Clark celebrated 40 years of ringing in the New Year on ABC when he counted down to midnight with Ryan Seacrest on Dec. 11, 2011.