The spirit of Dick Clark hovered over a Savannah Center awash with greasy guys, pink ladies and plenty of that old-time rock and roll.
It all happened Monday night during the “American Bandstand Sock Hop” presented by the Broadway Bound Players. The show was sold out with about 400 people at tables as the main area in front of the stage was turned into a dance floor. Two more shows, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m., are also sold out.
“American Bandstand was great because of Dick Clark,” said Tracey Fedel, who sported a pink beehive hairdo over a foot high. “Dick Clark’s soul and spirit always came through on Bandstand and I can feel it here tonight.”
So did Molly McCarthy who felt transported to another place and time.
“It’s nice getting your hair done, putting on the old clothes and going back in time,” she said. “It’s like being a kid again.”
Bill Krone used to be a high school principal back in Williamsville, N.Y., but on this night he looked and talked like one of the greaser gang in “Blackboard Jungle.”
“Man, this is a lot of fun,” Krone said. “It brings back a lot of good memories from the old days.”
Ralph and Dawn DiNome, with the Flashback Band, helped create those musical memories with a tight, and powerful performance. Jim Bleau was the ringmaster who kept the night rolling with a performance as Dick Clark. Bleau wasn’t imitating Clark, but he captured the essence of Clark’s warm personality and cool attitude.
The event was directed by Carol Greenfield and proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
“This place is really jumping,” Greenfield said. “I was worried that people would be shy and wouldn’t get up to dance. Now, I can’t get them to sit down.”
Greenfield wasn’t surprised that all three shows were quickly sold out. “American Bandstand brings back a unique part of our lives,” she said. “People will never forget the show and the music.”
One member of the audience, Erna Lichtenber, used to dance on American Bandstand in the 1950s.
“I wasn’t a regular, but I was on the show a few times,” she said. “I always remember it because it was so exciting. Dick Clark cared very much about the kids. He would tell us to do well in school and take care of ourselves. I miss him, but tonight brings back a good feeling of what he and the show were all about.”
To see a little dancing from the event, check out this video on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=857714767601226&set=vr.857714767601226&type=2&theater
For a baby boom generation that grew up in the 1950s and ‘60s, Clark and American Bandstand were cultural touchstones. It was a place where music, dancing and youth all merged into an afternoon television program.
Bandstand had its rituals and they were presented during the show and that’s when Jim Bleau really shined.
He had a knack for the talking to the participants and making it real. Bleau could ad-lib and have fun but, like Dick Clark, he never dominated the spotlight. This show, like Bandstand itself, was more about the music and dancers, than the host.
Laura and Michael Palazzola won the costume contest. He had a werewolf Elvis hairdo while she fit the gum-cracking bill as a 50s’ teen queen.
“When we were growing up, Bandstand was really the only show for young people,” he said. “Dick Clark never got old.”
“I was a little young for the early days of Bandstand,” Laura said. “But if you liked dancing and rock and roll, you had to watch that show.”
Annette Buechel and her husband, Tom, were crowned the dance contest winners after a mean jitterbug. “I’m so excited I love dancing and going back in time to be a part of this,” she said. “We were a little bit nervous, but once the music started we were fine.”
Another familiar bit on Bandstand was the rate-a-record segment. Jo Gagne, Molly McCarthy and Bill Krone gathered on stage as Bleau asked their opinions of three songs. The winner was the Platters’ “Only You.”
“I like that record, it’s a backseat song,” said bad girl Peggy Sue (played by McCarthy). “I give it a 98.5.” The greaser (played by Krone) agreed. “It’s a great make-out song, I give 98 and ¾.”
No sock hop or prom is complete without naming a king and queen. Michele and John Uss took the honors.
“I’ve waited for this moment my entire life,” a breathless Michele said while wearing her newly-won crown. “It took me 16 years to get this.”
John, who gave his wife a smooch on stage after they were crowned, just smiled. “I feel like I’m 19 again,” he said.
Meanwhile, back on the stage, the Flashback was rocking. Dawn DiNome, one of the younger participants, showed a mastery of the old songs. “This is a ladies’ choice,” she said as an introduction to “Soldier Boy.”
Then DiNome made like Connie Francis as she said, “girls, grab your guys, “and then sang “Where the Boys Are.”
DiNome was particularly impressive on a tribute to Lesley Gore, who died earlier this month. DiNome rocked on “It’s My Party” but really hit the high notes on “You Don’t Own Me.”
Ralph DiNome, Dawn’s father, showed he can wail on such numbers as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Diana,” “Do You Love Me” and “Pretty Woman.”
David Leshay and his wife, Cathye, made a guest appearance as Fonzie and Pinky from “Happy Days.” Leshay not only looked the part but also teamed with Ralph DiNome on a couple of Everly Brothers’ hits: “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Bye Bye Love.”
Before the night ended, dancers lined up on both sides of the dance floor as couples took their turns going down the middle while doing, “The Stroll.”
“Before the Villages came along, that was the first line dance,” Ralph DiNome said.
The show lasted nearly 2 and a half hours before Bleau closed it with these words: “I just want to thank the real Dick Clark for giving us these fond memories.
