Even though Dick Clark was born in Mount Vernon, New York, his death hits home for many in the city of Philadelphia. Philly was the city which launched Dick Clark into stardom from an average radio jock to the host of the biggest show in TV in the country. In 1952, Clark moved to Philadelphia and radio station WFIL as a disc jockey for Dick Clark’s Caravan of Music. The station WFIL had partnered with a TV station which carried the famous American Bandstand.
Clark got the opportunity to fill in for Bandstand host Bob Horn. Horn was later jailed for drinking and driving, which opened up a lane for Clark to shine. He eventually took over the show for good and boosted Bandstand into Philadelphia’s best-known afternoon show. He then became one of the most influential TV host’s this country has ever seen and Philadelphia is where it all started.
