Eyes were glued to the TV screens of millions as they read the words “Breaking news: Dick Clark has recently passed away due to a sudden heart attack during medical procedures.”

Dick Clark died April 18, 2012 at the age of 82. Clark was known for his annual New Year’s Eve hosting held in Time Square. Clark’s career started at the age of 18, working in the mailroom at WRUN, an AM radio station in Rome, New York, that was owned by his uncle and managed by his father in Rome.

Soon enough, Clark’s career sky rocketed with “American Band Stand,” which debuted nationally on Aug. 5, 1957 with his first interview of Elvis Presley.

By 1972, Clark produced and hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the first of an ongoing series of specials still broadcast on New Year’s Eve. The show consisted of live remotes of Clark in Times Square in New York City, counting down until the ball drops.

Clark was married three times, the first two times only ten years each, which would have been considered scandalous at the time. His first marriage was to Barbara Mallery in 1952. The couple had one son, Richard and divorced ten years later in 1961. He married Loretta Martin in 1962. The couple had two children, Duane and Cindy Clark, and divorced ten years later in 1971. His third marriage, in 1977 to Kari Wigton, lasted until his death.

The world is still heartbroken with the death of such a known star, which brightened the days of millions and brought such a warm delight with his radio broadcast. He will never be forgotten. We all know we will be upset when the holidays come, knowing we won’t have Dick Clark to announce the New Year.