__________________________________ HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR – SATURDAY SO LONG TO 2011 See you all in 2012. Keep rockin’…..from the Keeper of the Keys….. Ciao for now….
__________________________________ GETTING A HEAD START HERE – A very happy 2012 from the magical kingdom of The Princes and Princesses of Dance. It promises to be a super year. Let’s look for a book, more surprises and laughs and learning. Remember something which I believe is very important…. In truth, Bandstand and American Bandstand, the Philadelphia years, the music and dance, Dick Clark and the team, and the stars who put the show on the map — the American Bandstand
____________________________________ FRIDAY FINALE! Here is a treat from my dear friend American Bandstand Regular, that blonde beauty of renown who holds the record for more camera exposure than Dick Clark himself, Barbara Marcen. This is a wonderful fan letter from January 1956, before the national days. The fan base was in its growing stage, and Barbara was a star long before we knew The Bop or the The Slop, The Pony, Bony Maronie, even before they were Mashing or Twisting the Night Away. The
________________________ TGIF BANDSTANDERS AND BYSTANDERS! If Steve Brandt was the purveyor of the American Bandstand news for 16 Magazine, Alan Levin was his doppelganger for Dig. Many are unaware that the substantial national coverage of American Bandstand Regulars did not begin until late 1959 and then took off in 1960. You’ll read all about the whys and the wherefores in The Princes and Princesses of Dance/The Follies of Fame. Almost without exception, I have every copy of ‘Teen
__________________________ HI GANG…. Single and/or double click to enlarge the photo. The handsome young blond boy in the back is American Bandstand Regular Bobby Levins, brother of American Bandstand Regular Frankie Levins. And, of course, this is taken inside the studio. Often there are posts on blogs which are archived. This is one. I wanted to share it because I thought it was such a nice mention, and particularly for this holiday season. I know I am supposed to be listing the previous
__________________________________________ WEDNESDAY REVEALS A WONDER – Do you believe in coincidences? I wonder. 2011 brought the Bandstand world two angels, to the son and daughter respectively of American Bandstand Regulars, Justine Carrelli and Diane Iaquinto Celotto. Now the thing is, Justine Carrelli and Diane have something in common, and something to talk about along with boasting their grandmother-hood. Okay, okay, I’m gonna tell ya! Justine Carrelli along with Bob Clayton
______________________________ MONDAY MULTIPLICATION – Let the parties begin…. Here we have a Philadelphia American Bandstand New Year’s Party. Lots of the American Bandstand Regulars there. I spy Barbara Levick, Joyce Shafer, Norman Kerr, Carole Crossin, and an Eddie Kelly under the stars, multiply that by one Fabian and you have one serious party. Single and/or double click and see if you can roundup some ideas for your New Year resolutions. Be sure you don’t call Barbara
____________________________ HAPPY AFTER CHRISTMAS GANG – I had a super Christmas day. Really I did. The above photo is me with my new lumber truck. Okay, okay, I couldn’t find a more flattering recent photo. In the background is my B & O train set. I loved my toys. I still do. Oh, yes indeed…. Hope you guys had a great Christmas and Santa brought you everything your Bandstand hearts desired, and for those Hannakah honchos I hope you are having happy holidays. Check in and
_______________________ FRIDAY FRY – In life some tangible things begin to have a life of their own. You may quote me. Years ago, when I began my American Bandstand memorabilia collection, little was I to know that I would amass such a vast cache of memories. It began first with a file, then a shelf and then a closet. Now? Don’t ask. It has taken on a life of its own. Let’s talk photos. In the beginning I was scooping up anything I could get my hands on. I remember how I was
________________________ FRIDAY FROLIC – As many of us decorate our Christmas trees and prepare for the weekend festivities, you may be looking for some ideas. Check out some of these ornamental delights. Some of these are vintage, some newer. But all are memories of moments during the season when the American Bandstand Regulars were celebrating the holidays. Wherever we are, whether it be home, or with friends, the white slopes or the white sandy beaches, Christmas is always in our hearts.
