There were many highlights to the Emmy Awards this year.  But, my personal highlight was the tribute to Dick Clark.

    Dick Clark truly is a remarkable guy.  I watched him get, not just one, but six baby grand pianos on stage during a two-minute commercial break.

    But, despite all of that Dick Clarks productions was not without it’s downside.  Don’t get me wrong, I rocked to the music of Guns N’ Roses, but I’ve lived the “Show Must Go On” life enough to know that TV is serious business and Dick Clark was well within his rights to be upset in that case.  Then to continue on in what appeared to be a drunken state combined with a few “F” words live on TV was too much of an insult for Dick Clark.  Yet, even though, they caused Dick Clark some grief back in the late 80’s, I was glad to see Guns N’ Roses continue on to Dick Clark’s stage to rock the world once again - even if it wasn’t their best performance.  

    I was fortunate to be invited to work as a production assistant (and seat filler) for AMA on numerous occasions.  

    For me, that was a dream come true.  Having grown up with Amercian Bandstand, it was awesome to be in the presence of such a dynamic leader in the entertainment industry. But, it wasn’t until I worked at the AMA that I got to witness the magic behind the scenes.

    The best summary example of this I could come up with by memory would be:

    Hard to explain in text, but as the commerical break approaches, Dick’s voice is soft.  As the signal (represented by zero) indicates we are no longer live, Dick’s voice immediately raises to address concerns.  It feels as if he’s hollering at everyone and it’s only a matter of time before “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?” will actually be directed at me even though I’m thinking, “I haven’t done anything”, in a panic.  The heat of the action seems to spur up the fires of hell in waiting to burn whoever screws up next. The heat ( signaled by his voice ) gets hotter as the countdown to live-on-the-air gets closer.  We all can see the commercials as they are played on the big screens of the auditorium.  Technicians, Wardrobe, Makeup, Lights, Sound, Engineers, Camera operators, seat fillers, talent, stagehands, everyone is frantically rushing about in an excited frenzy toward a common goal.  To keep the wrath which burns like powerful sun rays, off of our backs.  Then suddenly, the count down is hollered out.  It feels like a time bomb is about to explode.  Some of us notice that voice of the countdown is now in sync with fingers that are also signaling the countdown.  And this is good. Because as the countdown approaches the last few seconds the voice stops and it’s all up to the fingers to walk us through what’s left off the longest two-minute commercial break I had ever experienced.  Dick’s voice gets louder, faster, more commanding, more demanding.  It’s like the sun is closing on the earth.  5...4...3...2...1.  At the magic moment, the lights dim, the baby spots are in place, the microphone is one, people are seated, wardrobes in place, makeup in place, the band is ready to rock and Dick Clark’s voice, right on cue, is suddenly dropped to a friendly, warm, calm, soothing and familiar tone, “Welcome back to the 16th Annual Amercian Music Awards live at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles”.

    At that magic moment, it was like heaven.  Dick Clark couldn’t yell at you because he was live on TV, they didn’t have the 10-minute delay in those days.  It was live.  And, we didn’t screw up because we knew he wouldn’t miss a thing and we’d all know about it during the next commercial break.  If there was ever such a thing as being nervous on camera in front of a live audience, it certainly wasn’t the case here.  Because, in Dick Clarks productions live was the best place to be.  Live was a serence, blissful, calm that went by too quickly.  Then suddenly, I would think, “There’s no way that all of those baby grand pianos could have got up on that stage in just two minutes”.

    The live show started at 3pm.  That’s because it was held on the West coast.  But, on the East coast the show started at 6pm.  Now, that’s what makes the affair interesting.  Because people on the East actually got to see it live and witness exactly what we were watching.   But, people on the West cost didn’t get to see it live, but it didn’t air until three hours later. Still, for people who worked the event, the upside was you could hurry home afterwork and watch it on TV as you point yourself out to friends or spoil it for them by predicting what they will see next.  I didn’t partake much in that kind of excitement, because like most people, my night was just beginning.

    Immediately after the show, the race was on to go to the after show parties.  A night of great food (and drink) and in the company of some of great musicians.

    But, that’s not the downside, I am referring to.  The real downside of Dick Clark’s magic from was that it spoiled me.  Concerts with one opening act and one headliner act just wasn’t the same for me.  Not after being present for one of the greatest shows on earth.  

    Growing up with a mix of cultures. First, my own Native culture, with a mix of traditional social dance music and country classics. Second, my child hood favorites, like the Jackson Five.  Third, my exposure to white culture with the underground acid-rock/heavy metal scene and my early mentors such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Deep Purple, Procol Harum, etc.  Fourth, my exposure to folk music.  Fifth, my exposure to classical music.  Sixth, my exposure to black culture and R&B greats like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Tempations, The Ohio Players, Lionel Richie and the Commodores; Funk music like The Average White Band, Bootsie, Parliament, The Funkadelics “Earth, Wind and Fire”.  My exposure to underground electronic and progressive rock music, like Walter Carlos (who’s now Wendy Carlos), Tonto’s Expanding Headband, Kraftwerk, and of course Yes.  Yes, I was a mixed up kid.

    But the American Music Awards (and the Grammy Awards) were first shows that satisfied my diverse musical urges like nothing else.  The awards shows brought in the best of the best in each category and treated me to the most spectacular live performances by the greatest musicians on earth.   To sum it up, American Music Awards (and the Grammy Awards) features the greatest music of the greatest live performances of the greatest performers of the year.

    Watching Dick Clark live in action is the most incredible experience.  

    I am glad to see that he was honoured with a tribute by the Emmy Awards.  

    Oh yeah, this article is about the 58th Annual Emmy Awards.  I’ll never forget my experience live at the Emmy Awards in Century City, California.  And, of course, the wonderful food and the after party.  But, that’s another story.

    

 

Read the article at: