DICK CLARK Remembered By KISS' Gene Simmons, AEROSMITH's Joe Perry
April 20, 2012, 12 years ago
More rockers have issued statements in regard to the death of cultural icon DICK CLARK, who helped bring rock 'n' roll into the mainstream on American Bandstand, and later produced and hosted a vast range of programming from game shows to the year-end countdown in Times Square on New Year's Rockin' Eve. Clark died from a heart attack yesterday (Wednesday, April 18th) at the age of 82.
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons stated yesterday (April 19th): "Dick Clark passed away yesterday. A very sad day. I first met the man backstage, when KISS was about to do his concert TV show in 1974. This was our first year out there, but by then, Dick Clark was already an icon. He made it a point to come up to our small, cluttered dressing room, stretch out his arm, and say - 'If there's anything you need, just let me know. It's a pleasure to have you here'. And he smiled. And I never forgot the kind gesture. Since that day, because of him, I have tried to always offer a kind word to young talent starting out in their career. Dick Clark made the world a better place. He will be missed."
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry has posted the following message: "Aerosmith world is mourning the passing of America’s oldest teenager, Dick Clark. Whether it was our appearance on American Bandstand or Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve, he always treated us with respect and class. Also, he taught me a lesson I’ll never forget – Can you dance to it?"
