Caravan of Stars
Caravan of Stars
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Caravan of Stars

In 1959, radio and television personality and television producer Dick Clark organized and produced a concert tour of rock and roll and rhythm and blues artists, many of whom had appeared on his music performance and dance television program, American Bandstand. The show was billed as Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars. Its success prompted additional tours. The last of the concerts toured in 1966.

Dick Clark observed that in the late 1950s, rock and roll had little acceptance as a form of live entertainment. Seeing an opportunity, he formed the Caravan of Stars, which, during its seven-year existence grew to gross nearly $5 million annually (more than $45 million in 2021 dollars).

The concert promoted up to seventeen acts, each performing two or three songs, all backed by the same band. In the beginning, admission was $1.50 ($13.50 in 2021). By 1965 the price had risen to $2.50 ($22.50 in 2021).

The summer tour went out from Memorial Day to Labor Day, sixty to ninety days on the road, nonstop. Tours were added throughout the other seasons.

The show always spotlighted a major artist, who closed the show, like Gene Pitney, Bobby Vee or Paul Anka.

Other artists included Jewel Akens, Freddie Cannon, Brian Hyland, Little Eva, Lloyd Price, Linda Scott, and Johnny Tillotson,

Groups included The Coasters, The Crystals, The Drifters, The Premiers, The Skyliners, and The Supremes.

The August 30, 1959, concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California, reflected the early success of the Caravan. The performance set an all-time attendance record at the Bowl, with more than 5,000 being turned away. Variety reported that police set up loudspeakers six blocks away to tell people the show was sold out.

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