The Princes and Princesses of Dance/The Follies of Fame --
Finally, Dick Clark and the Philadelphia years of American Bandstand from behind the scenes and as told by the American Bandstand dancers. Through seven years of intimate interviews and extensive research, I bring to you the times and lives of a group of Philadelphia teenagers over a half a century ago who unexpectedly grew to be famous and become household names -- the American Idols of their day -- the first celebrities for celebrity sake -- on a show titled American Bandstand....return with me to the dawn of television, to a time of transition and change, to a new world, to the inauguration of an icon named Dick Clark and....the birth of rock 'n' roll!
Say thank you Walt Disney. As i previously wrote, it was all staged for TV. Walt didn't like negro music and he was trying to stop things from changing.
For those interested in what happened to Barbara Warchol and Bruce Richard, here's what I was able to find: Barbara married an Army veteran in 1967 and was married to him for 52 years until he passed on in 2019. She is still around and living in New Jersey. Her married name is Soesbee. In this video is a cameo of Bruce Richard. He said he wanted to become a famous hair stylist (read the article on him at 2:14 in this video), and that's exactly what he did. After high school he moved to Los Angeles where he was a model. Most of the Bandstand gang who knew Bruce didn't know this, but Bruce was gay. In LA he moved in with his boyfriend who was also a hairdresser, and whose first name is also Bruce. After Bruce Richard became well known as a hairdresser, he was hired by Peggy Lee (actress and singer) to be her personal hairdresser. Bruce always wanted to travel the country, and he got his wish, because Peggy took him to all her concerts. Unfortunately, Bruce got into a lifestyle that became self-destructive. He was naturally flamboyant as you can tell by how he smiled every time the camera was aimed at him on the Bandstand. Someone said that he often maneuvered Barbara Warchol, his favorite dance partner, into view of the cameras so he could be seen. Bruce was making good money working for Peggy Lee, and he was an extravagant spender, getting into recreational drugs and sporting around in a Rolls Royce. But his excessive gay lifestyle and drugs became his downfall. He contracted AIDS, and in 1987 died at the young age of 41.
I would like to know all of the bandstanders in years 63 and 64 that have pass away and how they have passed just curious pat bobby Bruce aileen geri Barbara Monte sandy short and any one else if available . Thank you
I got in when I was 11 (1961) and Eddie did the Bristol Stomp with the girl I went with. She was beautiful and 14. I still remember her smiling up front!
Dick Clark wouldn't do anything to help promote careers of the talented regulars. Those who pursued careers in fields like music and writing were kicked off of Bandstand. On top of that, he was a racist homophobe. Several of the regulars have exposed him for that.
L.Garcia, love these pictures and videos,but would like to know about the 1990 reunion video part 1. Paul Thomas was speaking to the regulars and showing a picture of Lorraine Iannetti and Pat Carpino. Does anyone know what was he saying about Lorraine rip and Pat,or how she passed at a joung age. Thank you?
I loved Steve Lewis, Geri Iannetti, Judy L., Richie C., Lorraine I., Yvette and Carmen J., Pat C., Charlie, rubber legs, might mouse , Paula, ; I can go on.
Blavat used to wait for me at the end of the show to ask me if I'd let him interview me. I always said no. Too shy (hard to believe someone who dances in front of millions of people is "too shy" - lol).
Thanks for this! I watched American Bandstand and remember some of these dancers. I also bought 16 magazine regularly so it’s great to see all of those columns from the dancers! Love this video.❤️☺️☺️
This is the first video that I've seen of the "Bandstand Newsletter". Thanks for transforming the newsletter into a video. The years that have past since this newsletter was published are an historical account of society's changes from the 50's and 60's to the social turmoil of today (11-10-19).
I Grow up in Southwest.philly and attended bandstand on a regular basis....was not anything like eddie kelly was talking a bout when we were going there. I guess things change...
People, we did not rush home everyday to watch Dick Clark or his personality. We loved the music which was he first draw and then we started to have favorites and wanted to see what THEY did everyday. Then we got to see our favorite artists and it was all just what we wanted. This is like doing a movie showing Elvis as this depraved womanizer or a man with problems. WE LOVED HIS MUSIC! His life was his life. Same with AB. I could care less what kind of business man Dick Clark was because he was just the means to the end.
When I heard you say 'it taken its toll' being on ABS .. Dick Clark was a business man & you're like his employee.. How much did he pay you? Nothing? Get over it..count your blessings!
