R.I.P. Dick Clark -- The Man Who Kept the Party Going

Photo: OnTheRedCarpet.com

Dick Clark was a part of pop culture for as long as I can remember, hosting American Bandstand and every New Year's Rockin' Eve since I was old enough to stay up to watch to ball drop in Times Square.  My Dick Clark moment came in 2001, as I gathered with friends around some TV per usual (not even sure was exactly I was but it was back in the Connecticut suburbs after living in the city -- our little town had lost nine people who were killed for the simple act of going to work that day). What a comfort it was to hear his iconic baritone, announcing how he had no doubt that people would show up in the crowd to celebrate. "New Yorkers are a resilient people" Clark declared, imploring us all to be the same.  We were all grief stricken and the tears flowed yet again that night. Clark continued to show up for this annual gig on ABC, even after a stroke had slurred his speech.  Welcoming another year with a clean slate continues to be our tradition to gather with friends around the television and party.