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Bandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963

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Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Coney Island Press
Arrives May 2 – May 9
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Description

Bandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963 shares the fascinating story of how Dick Clark's American Bandstand and its millions of viewers catapulted its teenage dancers (called "the Regulars") to fame. These teenagers became the nation's first reality-TV stars--they received thousands of fan letters and were mobbed everywhere they went. Their adoring fans copied their fashions, fads, and dance steps. Then, when they turned 18, they disappeared from the public eye, except for occasional reunions and news stories. Fans have long wondered whatever became of Arlene and Kenny, Bob and Justine, Frani, Pat, Carole, Frankie, Billy, and so many of the others dancers, who are now in their late 60s and early 70s.Bandstand Diaries brings together all the stories, interviews, and rare photos in a full-color, nostalgia-filled book. You'll enjoy:A poignant introduction by Bobby RydellEntries from Arlene Sullivan's personal diaryInterviews with the living legends todayFollowing Dick Clark's rise to fame Special Tributes for Pat Molittieri, Carole Scaldeferri, Myrna Horowitz, and othersInformation on special theme shows and reunionsFan club experiencesReliving the music and the performers including Annette, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Paul Anka, Danny and the Juniors. Charlie Gracie, Fabian, and moreLearning how American Bandstand made rock 'n' roll respectableBandstand Diaries features almost 700 photos from then and now in a coffee-table book. Purchase your copy of this Collector's Limited Edition and take a nostalgic walk through those memory- filled days when rock 'n' roll became the soundtrack of a generation, when television was in grainy black-and-white, and when a 45 RPM record cost less than 70 cents. It's back to the good old days with a modern interpretation. Read more


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Coney Island Press; Collector's Limited Edition (October 31, 2016)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0997622105


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 02


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds


Best Sellers Rank: #358,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #23,408 in Humor & Entertainment (Books)


#23,408 in Humor & Entertainment (Books):


Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 140 ratings


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: May 2 – May 9

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • This book told me about the regulars and more.
This book told me about the regular dancers and where they are today. It also gave me bits of information about behind the scenes of the show. Not sure what I expected of this book, but I did enjoy reading it. Still have pages to read.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2022 by Shirley McNeil
    • Bandstand Diaries: The Philadelphia Years, 1956-1963
This book is great especially when you grew up with American Bandstand back in that time. I loved reading about the teens that were on the show. A lot of great information. Brings back a lot of memories for me since I watched this on TV a lot. Geri E.
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022 by Geri E.
    • A piece of Philly history! A must-read.
Oh, the memories this evoked! The book is so much more than I had expected. Growing up in Bucks County (Doylestown) in the Philly era is something I am grateful for. And much of it had to do with the music, Bandstand and the "regulars." Even after almost 60 years, it is a part of who I am. If you weren't in Philly or the burbs during that awesome time, you missed a lot! I don't ever remember knowing that Bandstand was seen all over the country - I thought it was just a Philly thing. Skipping school to get down to 46th & Market cherry cokes, smoking cigarettes and turning out collars up and the music and dancing! It was idyllic. Arlene, Ray and Sharon, THANK YOU! Thanks for it all. Not just the memories, but this fabulous book that records that short span in Philly history that changed everything. The book was so in-depth and rich. It answered all the questions I've ever had about that time. If you were a teenager, whether in Philly or not, during the 50s and early 60s, you will love this book! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2017 by L
    • THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
Bandstand Diaries brought back so many memories. I used to come home from school throw my homework on the bed. My Mom would be cooking my brothers would be playing and my Dad I would be working. I would be in the front room to myself so I got my Dad footstool and set right in front of the TV and have my enjoyment of the day. Bandstand Diaries brought all this back to me and reading about all my favorites one of my favorites was Myrna she was the one that had Polio she was one of my favorites for one thing she had a brace and I had braces too. So when I saw her I felt gee she like me and here she is dancing on Bandstand. Thank you Arlene and all the others for making the book. Carol Gorman ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2017 by Carol Gorman
    • Best OF AMERICAN BANDSTAND Memories
Never forgot my afternoons in the 50's & early 60's as a young trained musician & musically-inspired teenager watching American Bandstand & especially enjoyed the method of dance and professional styles of Regulars Kenny & Arlene Sullivan so ordered & promptly received the delightfully informative book while on holiday this winter. Very interesting & well laid out with many informative facts about "regular" teens given a safe platform to express their love of dance & music; still remembered Connie Francis's appearances on the show which came back to me when in early 1990's saw Connie perform at the Diplomat Dinner Theater in Hollywood, FL -- did Dick Clark love her song style...Many musicians got their start on Bandstand... Highly recommend this reading for those teens now in their 60's, 70's or others of our generation whose lives were influenced in a positive way by Bandstands musical inspiration! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2017 by Lonnie Scheinblum
    • Excellent Read
As a person who regularly watched American Bandstand when it was from Philadelphia, I really enjoyed finding out what happened to my favourite dancers. I watched the show from Toronto on WKBW from Buffalo. I watched it to see the kids dancing, not to watch Dick Clark, whom I always thought used the dancers for his own betterment. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021 by Frederick Brennan
    • Trip down memory lane.
I really enjoyed the book. The only reason I didn't give it five stars because I had to use a magnifying glass to see some print and many pictures. We're older adults that don't have the vision we had as teenagers.
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2021 by Mary Boehlen
    • A Wonderful Trip Down Memory Lane
I am assuming that everyone who reads this book grew up during that era...how could you not love it ??? It was an innocent time, a different time, but we had our "idols", regular kids like us, who made it to the show. Not so different from the reality shows of today, if you think about it, where you don't have to have a specific talent to be a celebrity. The big difference : those kids weren't seeking fame, and most were embarrassed by their popularity, at least at first. Arlene was always my favorite, so natural, almost plain, but so pretty, nonetheless...reading the story from her perspective makes it even more of a page turner....and the pictures, love the pictures... ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018 by Sarah Harris

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