The Clay Cole Show (1959 - 1968) was:
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the first to introduce Chubby Checker dancing and singing The Twist, igniting a worldwide dance frenzy. He was invited to Hollywood to co-star with Chubby Checker in Columbia Pictures “Twist Around the Clock.”
the first to introduce Chubby Checker dancing and singing The Twist, igniting a worldwide dance frenzy. He was invited to Hollywood to co-star with Chubby Checker in Columbia Pictures “Twist Around the Clock.” •the first to introduce The Rolling Stones to American television
the first to introduce The Rolling Stones to American television •the first to introduce Tony Orlando, Dionne Warwick, Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel,
the first to introduce Tony Orlando, Dionne Warwick, Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, The Rascals, Bobby Vinton, The Four Seasons, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ann-Margret, dozens more
•the first to produce the historic Clay Cole’s Salute To Motown, a full-hour of black performers, plus, a full-hour featuring just one guest star, Tony Bennett
the first to produce the historic Clay Cole’s Salute To Motown, a full-hour of black performers, plus, a full-hour featuring just one guest star, Tony Bennett•the first to introduce standup comedy on a rock ‘n’ roll show – Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Fannie Flagg, John Byner, Jackie Mason, Soupy Sales, Renee' Taylor and dozens more
the first to introduce standup comedy on a rock ‘n’ roll show – Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Fannie Flagg, John Byner, Jackie Mason, Soupy Sales, Renee' Taylor and dozens more •Neil Diamond met and married Clay's assistant Marcia Murphy on the show; their $150-million divorce settlement 25-years later became the highest show biz payout ever
Neil Diamond met and married Clay's assistant Marcia Murphy on the show; their $150-million divorce settlement 25-years later became the highest show biz payout ever Plus Marvin Gaye, The Lovin Spoonful, Temptations, Bobby Darin, Paul Anka, Annette, Drifters, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Fabian, Ronettes, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Little Richard, James Darren, Connie Stevens, Pat Boone, Conway Twitty, The Archies, Jay & the Americans, Dion, Tokens, Dinah Washington, Cowsills, Byrds, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Sonny & Cher, Percy Sledge, Judy Collins, Maxine Brown, Stevie Wonder and the entire roster of the 60s British Invasion bands:
The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, Bill J. Kramer & the Dakotas, Peter & Gordon, The Zombies, Moody Blues, The Who, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Dave Clark Five, etc ...
Clay Cole
“THE CLAY COLE SHOW was one of television’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll shows –
Clay had the whole music industry to draw on, and watch him …
Clay Cole imprinted a powerful image onto the memory of a few million teenagers.”
---- David Hinckley, NY Daily News“When we were sent to America for the first time, we were told to do
Clay Cole and Ed Sullivan. Trouble is . . . we didn’t know which was which!"
-- Peter Noone, lead singer of Herman’s Hermits, on the British Invasion “Clay Cole’s Teen Beat Shows Rock N.Y. Nielsen Ratings”
– Variety headline, 1964Clay Cole is one of live television’s true pioneers, beginning in 1953 at age 15, as host of a Saturday night teenage music show. By the time he was 21, he was the wildly popular singing-dancing host of New York’s top-rated Clay Cole Show from 1959 to 1968.
