This book provides the first independent examination of Dick Clark's landmark television show, "American Bandstand". It is both a history of the show and the changing styles of rock 'n' roll music over four decades, and an examination of the business behind the show and how Clark used his unique position as America's only nationally televised disc jockey to fashion a financial empire from within the pop music industry. Based on extensive interviews with music business figures, recording stars and Dick Clark himself, American Bandstand reveals what took place behind as well as in front of ABC-TV's cameras, and shares a story that few outside the show's inner circle knew existed.