Tributes from Carson Daly, Russell Simmons, Big Boi and New Kids on the Block flood in after pop-culture icon's death.
By Jocelyn Vena
Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2010"
Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images/DCP
The death of pop-culture icon Dick Clark has hit the entertainment world especially hard. Moments after news broke that the producer, radio personality and "American Bandstand" and "New Year's Rockin' Eve" host had died of a heart attack at age 82, some of showbiz's biggest names expressed their sadness over the loss.
Photos: The life and career of Dick Clark
Ryan Seacrest, who has long been Clark's heir apparent, having taken over the hosting duties on his "New Year's Rockin' Eve," said in a statement, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel. When I joined his show in 2006, it was a dream come true to work with him every New Year's Eve for the last 6 years. He was smart, charming, funny and always a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him, and I'll always be indebted to him for his faith and support of me. He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him."
Carson Daly, who has also taken career cues from Clark, said in a statement: "We lost an icon today. I will always cherish the personal time we had together. I am forever indebted to Dick Clark and his legacy. My heart goes out to his family."
The love for Clark seems to defy genre, as his work on TV helped very diverse artists break into the mainstream. Russell Simmons tweeted, "Dick Clark was eternally young. No matter what culturally phenomenon was happening, he always embraced it. RIP..."
An MTV VP recalls his first job in television, working for the late Dick Clark.
Snoop Dogg added, "REST IN PEACE to the DICK CLARK!! U were pioneer n a good man!! Thank u sir."
Big Boi simply tweeted a photo of him and Outkast partner Andre 3000 standing alongside Clark, with the message "R.I.P Dick Clark."
Like Big Boi, "Weird Al" Yankovic also posted a photo of himself with the TV host, writing, "Such sad news. RIP Dick Clark."
Certainly his influence on merging music and television can be seen on TV today, especially on shows like "Glee." "A sad day as we have lost Dick Clark, an American Icon. You will be missed," one of the show's stars, Matthew Morrison, tweeted.
His loss is also felt by the pop world, with '80s boy banders New Kids on the Block tweeting, "#RIPDickClark. A true music maverick. You will be missed."
Their tourmates, the Backstreet Boys, added, "Our hearts go out 2 Dick Clark's family. The memories u've created will live forever & r experiences w/ u is something we will cherish 4 all r lives."
Kings of Leon's Jared Followill seemed surprised by the news, writing, "R.I.P. Dick Clark? Say it ain't so..."
Madonna's manager Guy Oseary also tweeted about Clark's death. Back in the early '80s, just as Madge was taking her career to the next level, she famously declared on "Bandstand" that her ultimate goal was "to rule the world." Linking to a clip of that 1984 appearance, Oseary wrote, "Rest in Peace DIck Clark ..."
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