American Bandstand Video Showcase

"The Spotlight Dance," where two or more couples danced to softer music.

"Rate-A-Record," teenage guests of the show, who were picked at random, rated one of the songs played on the show.

The "American Bandstand Top Ten" featured a countdown of the week's Top 10 Hits.

* The very first record played on "American Bandstand" was "Whole Lotta Shaking Goin' On" by Jerry Lee Lewis.

* The first guests to appear on show was Billy Williams and the Chordettes.

*Elvis Presley was one of the few acts that didn't appear on the show.

* On November 22 in 1957, the musical guests were "Tom & Jerry" who later became better known under their real names, Simon & Garfunkel."

* Summer of 1960, in a "twist" of fate, Chubby Checker filled in for a no-show and sung "The Twist." "The Twist" went to number one on the record charts, and is widely considered the number one dance craze of all time.

* In 1963, "She Loves You" by a new British group received only a 73 on 'Rate-A-Record." Little did they know.

*In January 1980, Prince made his national TV debut on American Bandstand and Dick Clark was the first to interview him - and the last one to do so for another ten years.

* B.B. King was the only performer in American Bandstand's history who did not lip-synch.

* The very last song played was Laura Brannigans "Shattered Glass".

Artie Shaw's "High Society" was American Bandstand's theme song until just before the show went national.

Then there was various arrangements of "Bandstand Boogie" composed by Charles Albertine, including the big-band version performed by Les Elgart.

From 1969 to 1974 a synth instrumental version of the "Bandstand Theme" written by Mike Curb opened each show.

From 1974 to 1977 an orchestral disco version of "Bandstand Boogie" was played during the opening and closing credits, arranged and performed by Joe Porter

From 1977 to the end of its ABC run in 1987, the show opened and closed with Barry Maniow's "American Bandstand." Manilow originally recorded a version of the song for his 1975 album "Tryin' to Get the Feeling." instrumental arrangement of "Bandstand Boogie" when Bandstand went into syndication.

From 1974 until the last show, American Bandstand featured Billy Preston's synth hit "Space Race" at mid-show.

From 1974 onward, Bandstand featured another instrumental at its mid-show break-Billy Preston's synth hit "Space Race".

The list would be too huge to list them all, but these are some of the more prominent acts who had their national TV debut on American Bandstand, or their first breakthrough national performance through the show:

The Beach Boys
Chuck Berry
Blondie
Michael Bolton
Bon Jovi
James Brown
The Carpenters
Neil Diamond
The Doors
Gloria Estefan
The Everly Brothers
Marvin Gaye
Buddy Holly
The Jackson 5
Janet Jackson
Jerry Lee Lewis
Madonna
Barry Manilow
Johnny Mathis
John Mellencamp
George Michael
Van Morrison
Pink Floyd
Prince
Smokey Robinson
Sonny & Cher
The Temptations
John Travolta
Ike & Tina Turner
The Village People
Gene Vincent
Jackie Wilson
Stevie Wonder

Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon holds the record for American Bandstand appearances - 115.

The others who appeared more than a half dozen times:

Duane Eddy
Neil Sedaka
Brian Hyland
Johnny Tillotson
The Grass Roots
Bobby Rydell
Dion (DiMucci)
Bobby Vinton
Frankie Avalon
Dee Dee Sharp
Tommy Roe
Tony Orlando
Chubby Checker
Fats Domino
The Spinners
Al Martino
Jackie DeShannon
Bobby Vee
Mel Carter
Paul Anka
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jimmy Clanton
Bobby Freeman
The Impressions
The Miracles
The Sylvers
Linda Scott
Johnny Rivers
Johnny Mathis
Johnny Nash
Jack Scott
Andy Kim
Steve Alaimo
Wayne Newton
Fabian
Annette Funicello
Billy Preston
Bill Withers
Laura Branigan
Deniece Williams
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Kool & the Gang
Smokey Robinson
Danny and The Juniors
Tommy Boyce
The Diamonds
Dion and The Belmonts
Roy Hamilton
Jo Ann Campbell
José Feliciano
Jerry Butler
Steppenwolf
Eddie Hodges
Gene Chandler
Shalamar
Brenton Wood
Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods