Ryan Seacrest hosted the first ever “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” special since Dick Clark’s death on Dec. 31. Seacrest tweeted a dedication to Clark on Dec. 31.
Clark was part of the special each New Year’s since the first airing on Dec. 31, 1972. Dick was on camera every year after, except the Dec. 31, 2004 edition when Clark suffered a stroke weeks prior to New Year’s.
Regis Philbin took over hosting duties that year, but Clark returned on Dec. 31, 2005 with a new co-host, Ryan Seacrest of “American Idol.” Seacrest’s hosting duties grew larger each year as Dick’s health declined and his dementia worsened.
Clark made his final appearance on the 40th anniversary of “New Year’s Rockin Eve” on Dec. 31, 2011. Dick died on April 18, 2012.
Ryan Seacrest and a slew of celebrity guests and performers rocked in 2013 without Dick Clark, though the evening was clearly dedicated to his memory.
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