52 Years Ago: “American Bandstand” Debuts

“It’s got a good beat, and it’s easy to dance to…”

Yes, it may be difficult to the believe, but “American Bandstand” with host Dick Clark made its national debut on ABC-TV 52 years ago this week. For those of you too young to remember, just think of it as MTV for the baby-boomer generation.

The show actually began five years earlier as a local teen show in Philadelphia with Bob Horn as host. Dick Clark took over in 1956. And when the show went national in 1957, rock ‘n’ roll was here to stay.

The guests on that first national broadcast were the Chordettes and Billy Williams.

And the first song played on the first national broadcast of “American Bandstand”?

Jerry Lee Lewis‘ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

Oh yeah…