Yes, it is so sad. Pat was very young in her early 30s when she passed. Never in my life have I seen someone dance the jitterbug like her. I used to use a door in my home when I was going through the Bandstand craze. Twirl around like I had a partner, LOL, I'm 69, but I still know the Pony, the Circle Dance, the Stroll, the Mash Potato. After I limber up, of course.
I'm from Delaware & the AB Stand was only 25 minutes from my home . I was not even born when this video was taken . I have a client that used to ditch 5 period & jump on a train with two other girls & would go dancing on AB Stand . Finally her mother found out & flipped out lol . Her father worked for the train station & would go behind his wife's rules & get them free passes so they kept up with running back & forth lol ! She is an older lady & I once asked if she regretted doing this behind her mothers back ? She said Hell no I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT ;)
I remember watching Carole Scaldeferri dancing; she had this little "hop" when she danced and I loved watching her feet. Unfortunately, Carole passed away in 2013 at the age of 70. Carole was one of the AB regulars from the Philadelphia Catholic Girls School from the age of 13 until she was 18 years old which was the age limit for AB at this time in Philly. Carole was one of the well known dance regulars on AB Philadelphia. May she Rest In Peace.
@@maureenmcgovern6119 Thanks for your updated comment! I watched the video where Dick Clark read the letter re Carole; it was from a fan of AB who was stationed at an Air Force base. Thanks again for your relevant comment!
My sisters and I watched American Bandstand everyday. We were still little girls in the 50's. My favorite dancers were Franny and Pat. My sister 's favorite was Justine. It's so great watching these old shows again! Thank you!
WOW- what fantastic memories this brings back. I was absolutely In love with Pat. So sorry to read she died at a young age. All these kids were great. The girls were beautiful, the guys were just so damn cool. Loved it, thanks for the video.
I said the very same thing on another post. The kids are almost unaware of the camera. That will never happen again.......Franny was adorable. I never realized how 'ok' it was to dance with another girl back then. I did it through my teens in the 60's. I lived in L.A. by then, got to dance on the Lloyd Thaxton show. But the AB years are the most golden treasure.
Was just 7 years old. These kids were my idols. Frani was great and Pat was the best dancer. All were great and the regulars were the stars of America!
Pat was definitely the best dancer on here!! Loved watching her dance with Harvey Robbins., I sensed a real sweetness about him too from all the videos, He seemed like he was always having lot of fun.
Ran home every day after school to see AB; watched in Muncie, Indiana. I was in elementary school in the 50s, but my mom and babysitter taught me how to jitterbug and to do The Stroll. I was the coolest kid under 10 in that town! I remember Carole, Justine and the rest of the AB gang. I used to tell people I wanted to be a "teenager on American Bandstand" when I grew up! Now, at 65, I'm still wanting to be a teenager on American Bandstand when I grow up. Can't top the dancing of that era or the whole vibe of "teenager-ism" during that time.
A new book by Bandstand regular Arlene Sullivan ("Arlene and Kenny") reveals that she and many of the Bandstand guys and girls were gay, and Dick Clark was well-aware of this, but of course it was kept totally hidden from America. This wonderful clip shows Bandstand at its best. Thanks for posting.
Pat died of a heart attack. She was hanging out her laundry in the back yard and that's where they found her. So sad, she was the best dancer on the show.
When I found that out about 10 years ago I cried.Pat and Frani were my favorites but loved all the regulars. I was just 7 or 8 but idolized these teens
She was a knockout and very popular. I heard that she is still alive but will not participate in any reunions. One wonders if something bad happened to her to make her put AB behind her? She won a pony contest and got tons of fan mail
-Here's some 1st generation rock & roll kids here. & As was a rule for all American Bandstand shows: NO trouble making, greasy haired, black leather jacket thugs or wild blue jean girls were allowed inside. NO dirty dancing. NO shouting or foul language inside. ALL must be well behaved & nicely dressed for a televised, clean, enjoyable, teen dance show.
I remember watching these shows when I was a teen back then . The blond with the big wavy hair is Frani Giordano who was a regular, and got on the cover of teen magazines. Pat Moliterri was another regular who actually invented the dance from the hit song "At The Hop". I watched her storm off the show one day because Dick Clark was afraid she was getting too popular and instructed less camera time, so the story went. She (now deceased) and Frani (still with is) are on gallery sites.
What innocent gin. Wow could they dance. Loved Bandstand from Philadelphia. Taking it to Calf as s total waste. The guy ruined a tremendous time. All for himself. He was not the star. The dancers were. Sorry. I still miss it.
I think the reason Pat Moliterri was eventually kicked off the show was because she wrote a column for "TEEN" magazine and Dick said he didn't allow "professionals" on his show. I recall both Frani and Pat winning dance contests. Remember those?
Love this music and dancing. Miss it so very much. Had a great time watching AB and learning new dance moves. Wish we could go back. Best eat of all times and the happiest. Everyone dressed up like ladies and gentlemen . Now a days cant believe my eyes what I see!. But I will always love this era and RIP everyone and of course the man that made it all come thru. DICK CLARK. love and miss u all.🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏😥💔
On this day in 1957 {August 5th} the Philadelphias-based 'American Bandstand' debut on the ABC-TV network... The first record that was played was the Crickets' "That'll Be The Day" {peaked at #1 for 1 week on Sept. 23rd on Billboard's Best Sellers chart}... And the first two live performers were Billy Williams and The Chordettes; Mr. Williams sang "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" {it peaked at #3} and The Chordettes did "Just Between You and Me" {it reached #8} ...
I agree with Rtmax45, I also like Pat Moliterri's bounce, she was one of Bandstand's best dancers ever. If I didn't have ballet class I would run home from school to watch her dance.
I remember we went to visit family about 75 miles from Philadelphia. My brother asked if we could borrow the car to look around town. They said yes we landed up in Bandstand. We got the riot act. Then my mom started laughing. This is the second time you have runaway to Bandstand when we have come to visit.
I was either 15 or 16 or something and I was on the subway on the way out to 69th street and Franny Giordano got on the train in this orange dress - gosh it all lit up like the fourth of July - she was so darned pretty - knocklout - and I was a really shy kid. Darn I wish I could go back and at least say hello to her - I had a real crush on her like a lot of guys I guess. Missed my chance. She was probably on her way to Bandstand.
Your comment reminds me of James Blunt's song "You're Beautiful." I think every guy has had that moment when you see your dream girl once and never again, but you never forget her.
***** Hi Kathy...Good Lord!...Bandstand...back when we had...MUSIC!...Won a trophy for ballroom dancing in '58 in the 5th grade (let's see now...I'm a hundred and eighty...please help me with the math)..."Stagger Lee"...cha cha's and all that good stuff...thanks for your beautiful comments and memories...yes, I was there during the transition from 78's to 45's and albums...may I please go back?...Tunesmith
At the beginning of this clip is my first major crush, Franni Giordano, blonde hair to the side, dark blouse, light skirt. Unbelievably sexy. It is interesting, and good, to see how unaware of the camera these kids seem to be. When Bandstand moved to LA, that Boomer narcissism took over and you'd see kids mugging for the camera, defining their "Me" generation.
Too many girls and not enough boys. Or maybe it was a situation of too many boys who were not willing to dance in public. I was a lousy dancer and my girlfriend always reminded me of my lack of dance proficiency especially when it came to her girlfriends. Thanks for the video trip down memory lane!
I agree with so many comments below. Philly was where it was at. I watched from Appleton, WI and was glued. Carole Scaldeferri, Franni Giordano & Barbara Marcen were so neat - add Rosalie Beltrante & Arlene DiPietro too, My particular favorites. Remember well Barb Levick, Jiminez Sisters, Pat M., Justine C. etc. etc. So special to see how mature kids were back in the day - meaning this bunch from Philadelphia. Nothing like the Bandstand regulars from the late 50s . Special memories for me as I just turned 69 and I know many of these kids are no longer with us. Greatest dancers - those from the late 50s when the Lindy was in. So many looked polished and professional in dance and demeanor. No one - and I mean no area in the USA has EVER seen the quality of dancing as there was especially in the '57-'61 period on Bandstand. Not just the Lindy and chalypso, but they danced slow like no others. Girls held the guys barely on the shoulder while the guys mainly moved the ladies forward, with a side-step now & then. Ultra-smooth & cool. So special compared to most Jr High & HS kids at the time - or any time . Never be another to compare with the late 50s AB from Philly.
John Vandehey ......... you are so right - those kids were so so good, I learned how to dance watching them (practicing with the refrigerator ! ) I loved Bandstand so much, I started a newsletter called "the Bandstand Bugler" which I wrote by hand & illustrated with drawings of the regulars - lol - I was a jerk but that newsletter got passed around among all my good h.s. friends. Big mistake to move the show to LA but by then the music & styles were really changing so maybe Hollywood was the only way to go. The Calif edition was way too slick, those kids really looked like models & professionals - I think a lot of them were wannabe actors & Bandstand was a good way to get attention. Anyway, the style of the show radically changed after LA but I was out of HS by then, in college, getting a job so I didn't really miss the show bc it didn't really exist anymore
I'm from the Philly area and we're still awesome people. Moved to Massachusetts and I have more personality in 1 finger than the entire state combined. It must just be that area in PA/NJ
My most memorable dance was Carmen Jimenez, in her ** low cut ** saddle shoes, dancing to Quarter til Three Gary US Bonds She was airborne bopping queen. Also, on Finger Poppin Time by Hank Ballard ( who actually did The Twist before C Checker)
In that 1957 I was 10 years old, My name is Carlos, later in 1962 I was 15 years old and I had a rock band in My native México 4 other Teens calles Los Kids
I understood that Pat Moliterri was told she could no longer go on bandstand because she wrote a column for "teen' magazine - or, maybe it was '16 magazine'.
Billy, I watched AB as a 13 &14 yr old, in Miami, FLorida, My friends & I thought Fran Giordano was "The Ginchiest! I do recall her winking at the camera, while dancing in Philly. Believe me...she had our undivided attention!!! Most kids on that show were indeed camera shy...but the braver ones, did ham-it-up some. They even had their own Fan Clubs. I'm sure Fran Giordano did! It's all good...even though a 50+ yr. old memory... :P
@@carolemcintire8304 what was Harvey's last name? Pat Moliterri was my favorite female. I even wrote to her when I was11 years old, she was about 14. She died in her 30s
I give up, I've tried to send 2 responses and 2 emails, but on your email address it keeps saying that my message is undeliverable. But it's great to find another person who's as passionite about AB as myself. In Boston we did all the same dances as you but the circle, never heard of that. I died laughing with your dancing with the doorknob, thats was also my partner on daysmy friends were not there. I agree that Pat was the jitterbug queen,such a loss, watching her, never expected heart prb
12/18/57 WFIL Channel 6 Studio B 46th and Market Sts. Phila,5 PA. Now a historical site, one can access the actual studio space which is now used in part as a conference room.
So great to see my Bandstand buddies and LOVE MR. LEE......Bunny Gibson You can see more about Bandstand on my site....or join our Facebook site: American Bandstand Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Bunny Gibson . com
There is video showing some of these kids in a 1997 get-together. Some were probably grandparents already. Since link posting is not allowed. Just search for "American Bandstand -- 1997 Celebration -- A Rare Personal View " There is only a few I reconize at the celebration like singers Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Connie Francis along with banstand regulars , Justine Carrelli, Bob Clayton, Ivette and Carmen Jimenez, Arlene Sullivan and Kenny Rossi, Joyce Shafer. Bunny Gibson was probably there.
Does anyone know where to find 1962 American Bandstand videos? And how to find out when it was filmed in North Carolina? My Mom was on that episode and I'm looking for her. Anyone, do you know anything of help? Thank you!
Arlene Sullivan, who along with Kenny Rossi made up one of the show’s most popular couples, remembered that “it got to the point where the regular kids wanted to be on camera all the time, so Dick Clark would turn off the red light so we were supposed to not know which camera was on. But we always knew where the camera was. We were hams.” Asked how she knew which camera was on without the red light, Sullivan recalled “Oh, you knew. You knew how they were focusing. LOL
Who is the guy dancing with Pat? Does anyone remember Harvey? There was a song called Harvey's Got a Girlfriend and they put Harvey in the middle of a circle and danced around him. Was that him?
six years later...LOL...That's Harvey Robbins dancing with Pat Moltieri. The Royal Teens did "Harvey's Got A Girlfriend"...And yes, the Bandstand kids did dance around Harvey, as it was his birthday on that particular day! RIP Harvey & Pat.
I do want to add an observation....these girls (who are all pretty much grandmas now) all look great and they're having fun and not spending any noticeable time preening. What I find striking is that more adolescents are heavier these days or ultra skinny and emaciated looking. I don't get it. But I'm still now sure what the Pill has to do with it.
