STORY: Following the death of television mainstay Dick Clark on Wednesday (April 18), celebrities paid tribute to him at red carpet events in Los Angeles and New York.
"He was such an institution," said electronic musician Moby. "My mother grew up with Dick Clark, I grew up with Dick Clark, everyone has grown up with Dick Clark. Honestly, I'm not overstating or being hyperbolic, but I can't think of anyone else who had been around for that long and had such an impact on pop music."
Across town, at an event supporting cancer research at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Sheryl Crow, Rita Wilson, and Martin Short also chimed in on Clark's passing.
"Dick Clark taught me how to dance. I mean you know, he introduced me to the Jackson Five," said Sheryl Crow.
"Dick Clark, growing up, watching 'American Bandstand' was something that we all did as kids, and he was an incredible man, he had a lot of elegance, a lot of class, a really good spirit, there was nothing negative about him," said Rita Wilson.
"'American Bandstand' was the most influential. I mean, he brought us The Supremes, he brought us Michael Jackson, the Jackson Five, those were all their first appearances on television," said Martin Short.
Shirley MacLaine offered her thoughts on Clark's passing: "Whenever he would do his shows, some of the biggest stars in the world would be there, performing or presenting, he would always go up ... 'Go to the left.' 'Now go to the right,' and 'OK we're done with you'.... He knew what he wanted."
At the opening of the Tribeca Film Festival Robert De Niro kept his comments brief: "It's life and it's sad."
While documentary film maker Michael Moore took time to reflect on Clark as a pioneer.
"I remember as a child watching his show every Saturday at noon time. And he did so much for so many striving musicians. He refused to segregate his show at a time when that was a risky position to take. And so I think we'll all miss him," said Moore.
Comedian and co-star Kevin Hart said his reach went further than music.
"We accomplished so much in the realm of comedy because of what that man has done. So it's nothing but positive thoughts - will be remembered with him. My prayers and condolences go out to his family," said Hart.
Clark hosted "American Bandstand," a musician's showcase, for over thirty years, and began his "New Year's Rockin' Eve" broadcast from Times Square in Manhattan, in 1972, slowed only by a stroke in December, 2004, which sidelined him for just a year.
His youthful good looks -- which he maintained into his 70s -- won him the nickname of "America's oldest teenager."
Clark also produced such perennial TV events as the American Music Awards and the Golden Globes telecast.
