American Bandstand is a television show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989. It is known not only for the emerging performers that it promoted (from Jerry Lee Lewis to Run DMC) but the many dance styles it featured through the decades.

Format
Bandstand originally used "High Society" by Artie Shaw as its theme song, but by the time the show went national, it had been replaced by various arrangements of "Bandstand Boogie" composed by Charles Albertine, including the big-band version performed by Les Elgart remembered by viewers of the daily version. From 1969 to 1974 "Bandstand Theme", a synth instrumental version written by Mike Curb opened each show. Moreover, from 1974 to 1977 an orchestral disco version of "Bandstand Boogie" arose playing during the opening and closing credits. Joe Porter was the music arranger and performer of this orchestral disco version of American Bandstand's theme song at this time.
From 1977 to the end of its ABC run in 1987, the show opened and closed with Barry Manilow's rendition of the theme, which he originally recorded for his 1975 album Tryin' to Get the Feeling. The song's new lyrics, which heavily referenced the series, were co-written by Manilow and Bruce Howard Sussman.
The Manilow version was replaced by an updated instrumental arrangement of "Bandstand Boogie" when Bandstand went into syndication.
From 1974 onward, Bandstand featured another instrumental at its mid-show break -- Billy Preston's synth hit "Space Race".

"American Bandstand" (1975) (file info) — play in browser (beta)

• Theme song performed by Barry Manilow.
  Problems playing the files? See media help. Theme Music
  The show moved from its weekday slot to Saturday afternoons on September 7, 1963.
  Production of the show moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles on February 8, 1964, which coincidently was the same weekend that WFIL-TV moved from their 46th and Market location to their new facility located on City Line Avenue. Color broadcasts began for good on September 9, 1967.
  Bandstand moved from ABC to syndication on September 19, 1987, and to cable's USA Network on April 8, 1989 with a new younger host, comedian David Hirsch. Clark remained executive producer. The show ended on October 7, 1989.
  In 2004, Dick Clark announced plans to revive the show in time for 2005 but it did not happen. Clark's plan to revive American Bandstand eventually did come to fruition, just not in the way that was expected. The revived "Bandstand" was to feature a national dance contest, but after several tries to come up with a workable format, they decided to go just with the dance contest component which became So You Think You Can Dance. Dick Clark Productions is credited as the show's co-producer and longtime DC employee Allen Shapiro serves as co-executive producer.
  
  Changes
  
  
  Main article: American Dreams American Dreams
  The section could be improved by integrating relevant items into the main text and removing inappropriate items.
  
  Charlie O'Donnell, then a very young Philadelphia radio DJ, landed his very first network announcing assignment on Bandstand, a job he would hold until the late-1960s.
  The old WFIL-TV building in Philadelphia is currently being used as a business incubator program, The Enterprise Center, and the original "American Bandstand" studio is now a large meeting room.
  The weekly ABC version did not air in the Boston market. WNAC did not air it, neither did WCVB when ABC affiliation in the Boston market switched in 1972 because WCVB's weekly airing of Candlepin Bowling at noontime where it has been since it was WHDH channel 5 which pre-empted Bandstand, although prime time specials did air. It also didn't air in the Houston market on KTRK-TV, starting in 1959, when they had their own local dance show hosted by Larry Kane from 1959-71. After which, KTRK would have local community shows in place of Bandstand. And on September 1, 1984. KTRK finally carried the last three years of American Bandstand after 25 years.
  People who lived in Boston saw American Bandstand on WTEV Channel 6 in New Bedford-Providence (now WLNE) and WMUR-TV Channel 9 in Manchester, NH. But when WTEV Channel 6 and WPRI Channel 12 switched affiliations in 1977. WPRI Channel 12 didn't carry American Bandstand.
  Bandstand was also not carried in Baltimore, Maryland. Instead ABC affiliate WJZ-TV carried the local Buddy Deane Show, the inspiration for the movie Hairspray. Reportedly, the Baltimore station "blacked out" Bandstand because Black teenagers were allowed to dance on the program (although Blacks and Whites were not allowed to dance together).
  It was customary on the show to have Clark perform a mini-interview with the guest band members. Clark says the most difficult interview he performed was with Prince, an unknown at the time of his appearance. Prince was unresponsive and would generally answer his questions with only a hand gesture or a single word. Clark in fact asked Prince how many instruments he played; Prince responded with, "A thousand."
  Another famous mini-interview Clark is famous for is one with Madonna, who, when asked what she would like to do 20 years from now, answered coyly, "To rule the world!"
  B.B. King and Jerry Lee Lewis were the only recording artists to actually sing on the program. They were uncomfortable with miming their performances and requested that they just perform the songs live on the set.
  In 1980, singer John Lydon of Public Image Limited refused to mime on the show; the musicians continued the charade for a while as though they were actually performing "Poptones", but when the time came for their second song, "Careering," the band gave their instruments to the audience, who had swarmed the stage at Lydon's urging.
  In 1961, Tony Orlando performed his then-hit song "Bless You" with his trousers zipper open.
  The first rap/hip hop performance in the history of television occurred in 1981 when the Sugar Hill Gang performed their hit song "Rapper's Delight" on the show.
  Eddie Kelly was the only individual Regular to be singled out for an individual lot (An image of him/paper doll/Lot 202 Page 48 of the catalog) in Dick Clark's Auction held in New York City on December 5th and 6th, 2006. The only other lot was a couple, Regulars, Bob Clayton and Justine Carrelli, of their signed recording, "Drive-In Movie" (Lot 17 Page 14).
  In 1957, Simon and Garfunkel performed their first hit, "Hey Schoolgirl," immediately after Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire." The song hit #49 on the Billboard Charts when they were just sixteen years old.
  Pro wrestler Sylvester Ritter better known as the Junk Yard Dog appeared on the show to sing his theme song "Grab Them Cakes" from The Wrestling Album
  Dave Johnson appeared on the show numerous times with a female partner doing his famous "Peppermint Twist".
  When the show moved from ABC to syndication, the station that created it all, WPVI (formerly WFIL) didn't carry the syndicated version. KYW (channel 3) picked up the syndicated season. The return of American Bandstand
  
  In 1988, the popular John Waters film Hairspray's The Corny Collins Show is a mix between this and Baltimore's Buddy Deane Show.
  In 2001, IGT created and developed a slot machine based on the show's popularity.
  In 2004 the band Low released the compilation album A Lifetime of Temporary Relief: 10 Years of B-Sides and Rarities, featuring the track "Peanut Butter Toast And American Bandstand" which mentions the show.
  In 2005, rapper Bow Wow came out with the featured single Fresh Azimiz from the album Wanted. The song, produced by Jermaine Dupri mentioned the popularity of American Bandstand in the line, "I'm goin' down in history like American Bandstand."