University City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

American Bandstand

Photographed By Stephen Nazigian, February 27, 2012

1. American Bandstand

Inscription. This television program had a major impact on the music, dance, and lifestyles of American teenagers. “Bandstand,” a local show, began in 1952. Dick Clark became host in 1956, and on August 5, 1957, “American Bandstand” debuted on the nationwide ABC network. Until 1964 the show was broadcast from WFIL-TV here. This 1947 building was one of the first designed and constructed exclusively for television productions.

Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.

Location. 39° 57.503′ N, 75° 12.742′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in University City. Marker is on Market St, 0.1 miles east of 46th St, on the right when traveling east. Yellow brick building is marked, The Enterprise Center, and has a large (20 feet) satellite uplink antenna on the roof. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4548 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19139, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Built c. 1880 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Built c. 1884 (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Built c. 1880 (approx. ¼ mile away); Built c. 1895 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ruth Plumly Thompson (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Built c. 1884 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Built c. 1904 (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Built c. 1904 (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Regarding American Bandstand. During the golden age of rock and roll this was THE after school show to watch every day. It launched the career of Dick Clark as an American music icon, who would later become well-known as host of Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve at Times Square, New York City. For over 50 years Dick Clark has been known as "America's oldest teenager."

Also see . . .
1. American Bandstand - The Museum of Broadcast Communications. “While the three networks provided the majority of prime-time programming and some early afternoon soap operas, local

Home of American Bandstand image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Stephen Nazigian, February 27, 2012

2. Home of American Bandstand

West Philadelphia, alongside the Market Street elevated train line.

television stations had to fill marginal broadcast periods themselves. Since the primary audience for television viewing in the late afternoons included teenagers just out of school for the day, the teen record party apparently made sense to station managers as a way to generate advertising revenue during that broadcast period. As a result, a number of teen dance party programs found their way into television schedules during the early 1950s.” (Submitted on March 1, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

2. American Bandstand - At The Hop - Danny And The Juniors. (Submitted on August 3, 2014.)

Additional keywords. Rock and Roll

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2012, by Stephen Nazigian of Folsom, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,708 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2012, by Stephen Nazigian of Folsom, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.