Lodestone

exeter, on 2012-04-19 09:39:59, said:

What planet are you from Exeter? This is very major and very sad news to anyone who is a fan of rock music.

With his show American Bandstand, this man paved the way for the likes of Buddy Holly, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry (In his 1958 hit "Sweet Little Sixteen," he sang "they'll be rocking on Bandstand, Philadelphia, P-A.". Chuck made his national TV debut on American Bandstand Nov. 8, 1957 singing “Rock and Roll Music.”), Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Connie Francis, Pat Boone, Simon & Garfunkel, Andy Williams, Jackie Wilson, Ricky Nelson, The Animals, Janis Joplin, the Jackson 5, Talking Heads, Prince, The Go-Go's, Tom Petty,  and many others too numerous to mention. It was he who bridged the rebellious new music scene and traditional show business, bringing it to the world on his show American Bandstand. He defended pop artists and artistic freedom. He helped give black artists their due by playing original R&B recordings instead of cover versions by white performers, and he condemned censorship.He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. He did more for changing the face of music during the 50's, 60's, 70's and even into the 80's single-handedly than almost anyone else. He is a legend and an American icon.

I guess the president of the USA finding it noteworthy really doesn't mean much either, huh Exeter?...
however President Barack Obama noted the nostalgia. "More important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel — as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was,"

He made millions feel good. He was a friend you could find giving something new and exciting every week. He inspired and opened minds and souls.
I hope someday you can aspire to accomplish even a sliver of what Dick Clark did, instead of just tossing this titan's memory aside.

God Bless you Dick Clark. Your are a national treasure.

Democrats don't ignore the poor, says Abhisit
The Nation

Opposition Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday dismissed criticism that during his premiership the Democrat Party had done little to help the poor.

Abhisit was speaking at the party's seminar in Ubon Ratchathani, attended by 126 party branch chairmen and party members and party heavyweights, such as Chuan Leekpai and Korn Chatikavanij.

Abhisit said the Democrat Party helped the poor by allowing free use of electricity, lowering taxes on farmers with smaller plots of land, and placing the oil price ceiling at not more than Bt30 per litre. By contrast, the Yingluck government was set to scrap several social welfare policies soon, he said.

Abhisit said the Yingluck government added to the financial burden on the public through lifting oil and rice prices, and charging the poor for electricity use.

Abhisit said he believed Isan people still had faith in the party because its candidates received more than 10,000 votes in many constituencies. The reason the party had fewer MPs in this region was they had too little time to prepare for the election, he said.


-- The Nation 2012-01-22