Synopsis: On the anniversary special, Clark will present classic moments from the past, as well as a "Who's Who" of musical stars performing "live" or via film clips, both recent and vintage.

Added "live" performers to the lineup include Brandy, Babyface - who will perform with the previously announced Stevie Wonder -- the Village People, KC & the Sunshine Band and A Taste of Honey. Previously announced "live" performers include Michael Jackson, Cher, Alanis Morissette and KISS.

Also "live" will be a musical "supergroup" of top musicians, led by Little Richard jamming the rock'n'roll classic, "Good Golly, Miss Molly." Members of the "supergroup" include Jim Belushi (harmonica), Stanley Clarke (bass), The E Street Band's Clarence Clemons (saxophone), Alabama's Jeff Cook, Leif Garrett, Spinal Tap's Michael McKean, Ray Parker, Jr., Billy Preston (organ), Johnny Rivers, the Go-Gos' Jane Wiedlin, Susanna Hoffs & Debi Peterson of the Bangles (guitars), Sheila E (percussion), Mick Fleetwood (drums), James Ingram (organ), Chicago's horn section - Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone) & Walt Parazaider (saxophone) - and Rickey Minor (who will play guitar and also serve as musical director).

Among the many stars making special appearances will be Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez and *NSYNC.

The special will also include film clip performances by other stars who have glittered in the past half century, among them: Bryan Adams, Pat Benatar, Blondie, Michael Bolton, Boyz II Men, Captain & Tennille, Kim Carnes, Chubby Checker, DeBarge, Doobie Brothers, The Doors, Gloria Estefan, Connie Francis, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gaynor, the Go-Gos, Jan & Dean, Jefferson Airplane, Chaka Khan, The Kingsmen, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Kool & The Gang, Patti LaBelle, Huey Lewis & The News, Madonna, The Mamas & The Papas, Martha & The Vandellas, Olivia Newton-John, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Donna Summer and John Travolta.

In 1952 an afternoon dance show began airing on television in the Philadelphia area. In 1956 Clark became the host of that show, and on August 5, 1957, he brought American Bandstand to the national airwaves for the first time. The show aired weekday afternoons and went on to play over 65,000 records (launching a countless number of them onto the bestseller charts) which were danced to by over 600,000 in-studio teenagers. The program went on to log more than 6,000 hours of airtime and present over 10,000 musical guest appearances.

Just a few of the musical artists who made their network television debuts or breakthrough performances on "American Bandstand" were (alphabetically): The Beach Boys, Beastie Boys, Chuck Berry, Blondie, Michael Bolton, Bon Jovi, James Brown, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, The Doors, Gloria Estefan, Marvin Gaye, Buddy Holly, The Jackson 5, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, LL Cool J, Madonna, Barry Manilow, John Mellencamp, George Michael, Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Sonny & Cher, Rod Stewart, The Temptations, John Travolta, Ike & Tina Turner, The Village People and Stevie Wonder.

International dance crazes such as The Twist, The Hustle and breakdancing were also introduced to the public on the show. The program literally became part of the American landscape, with the original American Bandstand podium and backdrop being put on display at the Smithsonian Institution. Over the years, the show was the recipient of five Emmy Awards.

It was more than just a TV show about popular music; it was a window on the changing world of popular culture. The subject matter kept changing - the music, the kids, the clothes and the dances - but the format always remained basically the same. Clark played the music, the kids danced and America watched. "Rate-A-Record" became part of the American jargon.

Of the many memorable moments from the show, here are a few Clark remembers from the early days:
* "On November 22 in 1957, the musical guests were the unheralded duo, 'Tom & Jerry.' They would later record under their real names, Simon & Garfunkel."

* "In the Summer of 1960, Chubby Checker made his second appearance on 'American Bandstand,' performing 'The Twist' which went on to become one of the biggest dance crazes of all time."

* "In 1963, a song by a new English group received a so-so rating of 73 on 'Rate-A-Record.' The song was 'She Loves You' by The Beatles."

* "In December of 1973, Aerosmith made their national television debut performing 'Dream On.' Even though the song never even made it into the Top 40, I felt then that Steven and the rest of the guys had a special quality that would enable them to hang around for a long time. Fortunately for rock'n'roll fans, I was right."

* "In January, 1980, Prince made his TV debut on 'American Bandstand.' During that appearance, I interviewed him. This marked the first recorded public interview he had ever given and the last time there was such an occurrence for over a decade."

Production Info:
American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration!, a dick clark productions, inc. presentation with Clark serving as executive producer, will be produced by Larry Klein and directed by Barry Glazer. The script is by Barry Adelman, the executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo, the musical director is Rickey Minor, the production designer is Bruce Ryan and the talent executive is Tyrone George. Fran La Maina is executive in charge.

Airdates:
It debuted on ABC, Friday, May 3rd, 2002 at 8:00pm ET/PT