Over 100 autographs from four decades of American popular music

Clark, Dick / Bronson, Fred / Smith, Ray. Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Extensively signed.

New York, Collins Publishers, (1997).

Folio (235 x 310 mm). 189, (1) pp. With numerous inscriptions and autographs throughout. Blue cloth, in original illustrated dust jacket.

 8,500.00

Ray Smith's personal copy of Dick Clark's American Bandstand, autographed and inscribed by over one hundred musicians, dancers, and radio personae, including Aretha Franklin, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Cher, Carlos Santana, Elton John, Sting, and Dick Clark himself.

American Bandstand ran on American television from 1952 to 1989, and featured teenagers dancing to Top 40 hits; it was credited with bringing rock music to a wider American audience, and provided a platform by which many young musicians and dancers got their start in the industry; those featured in it appeared at one time or another on American Bandstand, starting with the earliest performers, who were largely just local teenagers in Philadelphia.

Autographs from early performers are featured as well, such as Jerry Lee Lewis (most famous today for "Great Balls of Fire") and Little Richard (of "awop bop a lu bop, alop bam boom!" fame). Moving into the music of the sixties, autographs feature Judy Collins, Diana Ross of The Supremes, several of the Beach Boys, and TV and film star Patty Duke. From the seventies are Donna Summer (known for the 17-minute "Love to Love You Baby"), and two actors from the Brady Bunch, who appeared on the Bandstand in 1972: Florence Henderson and Barry Williams. Representing the eighties are the likes of Cyndi Lauper (of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun") and Gloria Estefan ("Conga"). Altogether, a tour de force of American music history. Because so many artists appeared on Bandstand early in their careers, a wide range of genres, into which they later branched, are represented in the autographs and inscriptions, from punk to rap to rockabilly.

In excellent condition.

Stock Code: BN#61538 Tags: ,