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Wow! What a cool thing to invest in! I’m glad it did well for you. That must have been an exciting time. My cousin used to be a music promoter and, to my utter shock, he said the most difficult and horrible talent he’d worked with was Dolly Parton. I can see Dick Clark being a jerk, though. I guess there was a lot of truth in that old SNL skit where they made fun of his production staff.

Yes, it was lots of fun. The bartenders and waitresses treated me like royalty, but I still tipped them very well and with respect. I would even tell the bartenders to serve first come first serve - I can wait.

Southwest Airlines must have made a fortune on me since I flew up there every couple months for years.

Interesting fact: Doormen are a big turnover at nightclubs, so when I showed up go to the front of the line and grab the door handle, a new doorman who didn't recognize me blocked me and motion me to the back of the line. I'd tell the newbies I'm an owner and please check with the club manager. Marshall would tell them I was a partner with Dick Clark and one the poor doorman was so apologetic I thought his testicles would draw up his body. I told him, no problem, ask his name and thank him for doing his job, while he kept apologizing.

Kinda cool to have that much influence but never took advantage of my position, even though some of the waitresses would flirt and ask if I'll be there at closing time (4am). I knew better than to mix business with pleasure. That's a lawsuit in waiting. I would just stand around shoot the shit with the guests.

Forgot to tell you, although Dick had 3 other Bandstand clubs around the country, ours had the original neon sign from the old TV show behind the stage. Of course, the rest of the club was decorated in other Clark memorabilia. We even had an original Dennis Wilson surfboard; concert worn Jagger costume; a signed Clapton guitar; Diana Ross costume; numerous signed photos of Elvis and others with Dick in their early days. Early Miracles, early Temptations, early 4 Tops, Gladys Night & Pips; plus later stuff in the 70's You could spend a couple hours just checking out the memorabilia.

It was just beyond cool. I'd have to go through old photos to tell you what else was hanging on the walls and overhead. All from the artists, themselves. Dick had a really large guarded warehouse for his memorabilia. Think how many careers that man launched from his TV show. I wonder what happened to all that and his estate. Guess I'll google some day.

That's why he had a line out the door for some years until a club opened around the block that had 3 levels with 3 different themes. No genuine historic items, but he had a great decorator and eventually put us out of business. Club goers are always looking for the new thing. Fantastic while it lasted,.