Fabrizio Nava

We're going to rewind back to some of our favorite Bandstand Performances of all-time. In September of 1952, ABC aired the first national broadcast of American Bandstand with the world’s oldest teenager, Dick Clark, as its host. However, Dick didn't come onboard to the program until 1955 as a substitute host. In honor of the occasion, DYR looks back at 11 of our favorite Bandstand Performances in the show’s 37-year history. Our Favorite American Bandstand Performances Jerry Lee Lewis (1957) The piano-playing singer had several appearances on the show, but his performance of “Great Balls of Fire” really riled up the crowd. Chubby Checker (1960) https://youtu.be/XmR00cErBdw Nobody knew who Chubby Checker was when he set foot on stage to perform “The Twist,” but soon everybody knew him and the dance craze he created. Jefferson Airplane (1967) https://youtu.be/tKtJ0XTwgTE Parents feared for their children’s sobriety when these spaced-out, psychedelic San Francisco rockers performed their hits “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love” on air. Favorite Bandstands: The Doors (1967) https://youtu.be/WeulfG-m6u0 As you can see, The Doors’ front man, Jim Morrison, hypnotized the youth of American with his haunting vocals and come-hither stare when the band performed their hit “Light My Fire.” The Jackson 5 (1970) https://youtu.be/7hkaghHu6ec A young Michael Jackson stole the show when he and his four older brothers jolted audiences with performances of “I Want You Back” and “ABC.” John Travolta (1976) https://youtu.be/fZFM4Zx2JNU Riding the success of his hit TV show, Welcome Back, Kotter, Travolta convinced audiences he was a man of many talents with a performance of his single “Let Her In.” More of our Favorite Bandstands, Gloria Gaynor (1979) https://youtu.be/7SxqJsYFL-Q At the height of the disco era, the genre’s queen, Gloria Gaynor, belted out note after powerful note of the decade’s inspirational dance anthem “I Will Survive.” Run-D.M.C. (1985) https://youtu.be/JBqN8tCC0M4 Therefore, fans rightfully credit the Sugar Hill Gang with being the first hip-hop act to appear on the show, but this group made major noise when they performed “Jam Master Jammin’.” Madonna (1984) https://youtu.be/vP8fB972naM After electrifying the crowd with her hit “Holiday,” Madonna wasted little time in revealing her plans for musical domination, telling Dick Clark of her intention “to rule the world.” The Beastie Boys (1987) https://youtu.be/bdXSEUY_O4k Who can forget the energy of these NYC bad boys, who break-danced their way through a performance of “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)”?