"58th ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS" TO SALUTE TELEVISION INDUSTRY ICON DICK CLARK DURING LIVE TELECAST ON NBC, SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
Emmy Nominee Barry Manilow to Perform "American Bandstand" Musical Tribute
BURBANK Calf. -- July 24, 2006 -- Television industry icon Dick Clark will be honored as part of this year's "58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards," hosted by Conan O'Brien, airing live Sunday, August 27 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on NBC. Musical legend and current Emmy nominee Barry Manilow, who co-wrote the lyrics with Bruce Sussman and sang the words to the catchy "American Bandstand" theme song "Bandstand Boogie," will perform a special musical tribute. The announcement was made today by Ken Ehrlich and Jeff Ross, the executive producers of the telecast.
Clark is one of the most recognized and popular personalities in American entertainment, as well as a successful and well-regarded business executive and entrepreneur. He began his entertainment career at age 17 at WRUN Radio in Utica, New York. After graduating from Syracuse University with a bachelor of science in business administration, he became a news anchorman at television station WKTV. In 1952, he moved to Philadelphia to work for WFIL Radio and Television. Four years later, he became the host of the local television station's show, "Bandstand."
In 1957, Clark founded dick clark productions, inc. and convinced the ABC Network to carry the show nationwide and, within weeks, "American Bandstand" was the country's highest-rated daytime show. To this day, "American Bandstand" still holds the record as television's longest running music/variety program. It has earned many awards and honors, including two Emmy awards. The show also served as the foundation upon which Clark rose to national fame and built a multi-faceted entertainment company which still today produces such hit shows as "So You Think You Can Dance," "The American Music Awards," "The Golden Globe Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," "The Academy of Country Music Awards" and "Bloopers" specials.
Since his breakthrough with "American Bandstand," Clark has gone on to host many special broadcasts including the annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" specials, the "Bloopers" series and specials, and numerous retrospective specials centered around his history-making "American Bandstand" television series. Clark is also well known for his live behind-the-scenes interviews at such prestigious events as the annual "Golden Globe Awards" and "The Academy of Country Music Awards."
Clark's many other on-air credits include the popular "Pyramid" game series, as well as other game show series. He has been master of ceremonies for many beauty pageants including "Miss Universe," "Miss USA" and "Miss Teen USA." He has co-hosted historic, worldwide broadcasts such as "The Olympic Flag Jam '94," "World Cup: The Final Draw" and "Live Aid." He is the only personality to host top-rated series on all networks and in syndication at the same time.
He has hosted nationally syndicated radio shows (including "Rock, Roll and Remember" and "The US Music Survey"), live "Good Ol' Rock 'N' Roll" shows, and various rock and roll video collections. He has co-authored several books including "Rock, Roll and Remember," "The History of American Bandstand" and "Dick Clark's American Bandstand."
Clark's accomplishments have been recognized by many organizations over the years. Honors include his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. He also has received the Distinguished Service award from the National Association of Broadcasters. In addition, he has won many other awards, including six Emmys, an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy award.
An internationally renowned performer, Manilow's career spans recording and songwriting, television, film and stage. Manilow's recent PBS special, "Barry Manilow: Music and Passion" is nominated for two Emmy Awards including Manilow for Outstanding Performer in a Variety/Music/Comedy Series or Special and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety/Music/Comedy Series or Special. Based on industry charts, he is the undisputed number one adult contemporary artist of all time, and his record sales exceed 70 million worldwide. He has written hundreds of songs and performed around the world, thrilling millions of fans, picking up a Grammy, an Emmy, Tony Awards, and an Oscar nomination along the way.
Manilow and Clark's friendship spans several decades, beginning when Manilow made his first national TV appearance singing "Mandy" on "American Bandstand." Manilow went on to appear on numerous "American Bandstand" episodes as well as Clark's New Year's Eve specials and "The American Music Awards" among others.
Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio, the "58th Annual Primetime Emmy� Awards" on NBC will originate from the historical Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1946 just one month after network television was born. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry. In addition to recognizing outstanding programming through its Emmy� Awards, the Television Academy publishes emmy magazine and through its Foundation, is responsible for the Archive of American Television, College Television Awards, acclaimed student internships and other educational outreach programs. For more information on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and its many industry-related programs and services, including year-round Academy events staged for the community, please visit www.emmys.tv.
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