Dick Clark led Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve for decades.
The program first aired on December 31, 1972, as a competitor to Guy Lombardo's long-running New Year's Eve broadcasts. Clark served as host and executive producer, helping make the Times Square celebration a major television tradition for American audiences.
The show originally used the title New Year's Rockin' Eve and combined live or recorded musical performances with the midnight countdown. Clark continued hosting for many years, including after the program moved to ABC and became associated with the Times Square Ball drop.
Ryan Seacrest became the principal host in 2005, while Clark continued appearing until his final broadcast in 2011. Clark died in 2012. The program was later renamed Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest in his honor.