Dick Clark To Be Honored With Special Segment On ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’

Dick Clark is credited with popularizing the live New Year’s Eve television special, and now, eight months after his death, the famous host will be honored on New Year’s Eve one last time.

Clark, the music and television mogul who died in April, spent more than a half century on television, and a big part of his legacy is Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Clark started hosting in the 1970s and, even after suffering a stroke in 2004, was still able to come on to the show for brief segments.

Though he is now gone, Dick Clark will not be forgotten on New Year’s Eve. This show will still be called Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, and Clark will be featured on other parts of the programming.

A two-hour special, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Celebrates Dick Clark, airs at 7 pm Monday on ABC, followed by the actual countdown show at 9 pm.

From ABC:

“The special celebrates, through clips and reminiscences, the legendary television personality and producer who rang in the New Year for four decades and launched and nurtured the careers of countless artists. Ryan Seacrest makes a special appearance.”

Though the show features a number of performers including Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Flo Rida, many still see Dick Clark as the main attraction. Akron Beacon Journal writer Rich Heldenfels, for example, said:

“I am of the generation that remembers when New Year’s Eve was Lombardo on CBS and Ben Grauer announcing from Times Square on The Tonight Show — and what a change it was when Clark began putting rock and contemporary pop on that night. I admired Clark’s indomitable determination to come back to Rockin’ Eve after his stroke; his presence was a reminder that a stroke may slow you down, but it doesn’t necessarily stop you. And even if he had trouble speaking, you could see the enthusiasm in Clark’s eyes. I checked in with him every subsequent year, and I will visit the tribute special on Monday — if only for a last goodbye.”

The famous host leaves another stamp on the New Year’s Eve programming — his company, Dick Clark productions, is responsible for putting the show together.