Description: There was a small sliver of time between Be-Bop and Hip-Hop, when a new generation of teenagers created rock 'n' roll. Clay Cole was one of those teenagers he was the host of his own Saturday night, pop music television show.
Clay Cole's SH-BOOM! is the pop culture chronicle of that exciting time, 1953-1968, when teenagers created their own music, from swing bands and pop to rhythm and blues, cover records, a cappella, rockabilly, folk-rock, and girl groups; from the British Invasion to the creation of the American Boy Band. He was first to introduce Chubby Checker performing the ""Twist;"" the first to present the Rolling Stones, Tony Orlando, Dionne Warwick, Neil Diamond, Bobby Vinton, the Rascals, Ronettes, Four Seasons, Dion, and dozens more; the first to introduce music video clips, discotheque, go-go girls and young unknown standup comedians Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Fannie Flagg to a teenage television audience.
Brief description: David Hinckley joined the New York Daily News in 1980 and has spent most of his years there writing about music, radio and television. He has also served as critic-at-large, from which perch he has tried to frame a context for modern American popular culture while often settling for a reference to Chuck Berry or the Brooklyn Dodgers. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and more recordings than he'll ever be able to listen to.
Review Quotes: ""I was always jealous of that head of hair and tall, skinny body - otherwise, good memories of his television shows and the Brooklyn Paramount."" -- Neil Sedaka ""American pop singer, pianist, and songwriter""